We had such an amazing Crufts that the stories are still coming in! So, here are just a few more highlights from our clients.
Nikki Dew of Cruise Control Canine Massage had four canine clients at Crufts this year.
Border Collie Piixie and her owner Lucie Hinchley were back at Crufts and came third in the jumping round of the Agility British Open. Lucie also competed in the main arena in the Crufts singles. Well done Lucie and Piixie.
Piixie who has regular massage sessions with Nikki has just competed at the IMCA try-outs gaining 2 wins and a second place and is now looking forward to the Agility Team GB squad performance weekend in June hoping to gain a place on the Team!
Piixie with Lucie
Tynx the new You tube sensation
Meanwhile little Papillion Tynx with owner Melinda Savva qualified for Crufts last summer and was one of the lucky 6 dogs that had made it through 3 qualifying rounds to compete at Crufts in the Novice Cup. Tynx completed his jumping course but the atmosphere proved too much in the agility. Tynx became famous over night as the little dog that didn’t want to run. Tynx appeared on the Crufts you tube channel with over 200,000 views and he also appeared on social media in Australia. Tynx was invited back to Crufts to appear on the Crufts TV coverage with Alan Carr and Claire Balding. He has continued his new stardom by appearing on the local BBC news and radio. Go Tynx!
Zoe and her dog Gem
Zoe and Whizz
Finally 9 year old Zoe Gilmour competed in the YKC with her dog Gem and her Grandma’s dog Whizz. Zoe, who was competing for the first time at Crufts, was placed second with Whizz qualifying her for the YKC agility dog of the year final in the main arena. Zoe also picked up a fourth place in the under 12 jumping with Gem. What an amazing achievement at their first time at Crufts. Watch out for this girl, we think we will be seeing more of her in the future! Gem and Whizz were massaged by Nikk before they went to Crufts so they were ready for their Crufts adventure.
Gemma Easton‘s dog, Binky, and the rest of her team came second in the Inter Regional Rally competition for the Midlands. Congratulations Gemma and Binky! Gemma is the owner of Full Stretch Canine Massage.
Binky
Binky and her team mates
Roo just loves to jump
In addition, one of Gemma’s clients, Blyth Fox and her dog Roo won the Medium ABC (Anything But Collies) agility competition with wins in both her jumping and agility classes! What an all-round winner!
Fedsig the Giant (‘Feds’ for short) is a 10 year old Jack Russell Terrier, and part of the Russellers Obedience team. But after coming second at Crufts in 2017 his owner, Kirsty, became concerned that he no longer appeared to enjoy himself and would walk out of the ring in protest. Luckily Feds and Kirsty met Helen Neal from Head to Tail Clinical Canine Massage at a dog show over the summer! A free muscular health check identified some soft tissue problems. A course of massage therapy later and Feds is back with his usual bounce and enthusiasm.
After three sessions, they competed at an obedience competition and Fed was full of energy and fun. His owner said after that competition
Feds and Ghost
He has been much happier and today did the sort of Obedience round he hasn’t done for a while.
It was technically awful, with him racing me and going wide on his turns, but he had such enthusiasm, to me, it was perfect! He really enjoyed himself and I laughed all the way round!
This year Feds and the Russellers team came 5th overall and Feds has regular massage therapy to keep him healthy and happy. Feds is also part of the Hazelmutts Obedience Display team and does demonstrations at many of the large dog shows around the South of England including All About Dogs and Paws in the Park. Maybe you will be lucky enough to see him strutting his stuff over the summer.
Hannah and Seren
Hannah Walker and her 16 month old German Longhaired Pointer, Seren, who achieved two 2nd places at her first ever crufts and has qualified for crufts 2019!
Hannah of Pheonix Canine Clinical Massage Therapy is looking forward to doing it all again next year!
Our very own Claire Bowden from Pawsitive Canine Massage Therapy had a wonderful Crufts 2018. Buddy, Claire’s 7 year old Bearded Collie, won the Veteran Dog class and was Best Veteran Dog in Breed. You may recognise him from his appearance on Sunday Brunch just before Crufts!
Claire and Buddy
Beautiful Grace
Not to be outdone, Grace, Buddy’s 3 year old sister won her Mid Limit class from a large entry of lovely girls. This was Grace’s 2nd first place at Crufts and Buddy’s 3rd. The Bearded Collie is in the Pastoral Group, and the breed was bred for driving and herding cattle over the hills and mountains of Scotland to market. This means that the dogs need to be able to work for long periods and therefore conformation, good muscle tone and stamina are key. Buddy and Grace receive regular canine massage therapy from Claire to maintain the effective, efficient and effortless movement seen in the ring at shows. They cover the ground with good reach and drive.
Well done Buddy, Grace and Claire, you have done yourselves and the breed
And in other news…!
Congratulations to the winners of the Canine Massage Guild Challenge Maxi at Omnidogs in March. Thanks to all who attended, despite the mini Beast from the East!
Blimey! Don’t they look cold!
Did you miss us?
Don’t worry Guild therapists will be at all the Dogfest events over the summer as well as many agility and flyball shows! Your local therapist will also be attending local events throughout the year. Alternatively, a full list of our therapists and events can be found on the Guild website:
Notes to editors
The Canine Massage Guild represents the largest group of professional Clinical Canine Massage Therapists in the UK.
The Canine Massage Guild is the Best Complementary Therapy Organisation 2017 according to Pharma Magazine Animal Health Awards.
All Guild members have completed the two year Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner or Therapeutic Canine Massage Diploma, both courses run by the Canine Massage Therapy Centre.
All Guild members have to complete at least 25 hours Continuing Professional Development every year.
The Canine Massage Guild sponsors the UKA Agility K9 Massage Guild Challenge and members can usually be found at these events.
Clinical Canine Massage is a complementary and rehabilitative therapy. We support vets in the maintenance and management of their canine client’s health. We are not an alternative to veterinary advice or treatment.
