Heelwork to music

Heelwork to music is a dog sport similar to musical canine freestyle that is officially recognised by the Kennel Club. The sport has evolved since the early 1990s when obedience handler Mary Ray first demonstrated the sport at Crufts. Rugby dog club held the first show in 1996 and this club has continued to be the highlight of the sporting year.

2005 saw the first invitational competition at Crufts. 2006 saw the first proper Crufts competition. Rugby dog training club now host the official Crufts semifinal competition where advanced handlers who have competed at qualifying events throughout the year compete for the first ten places and the chance to work at Crufts. The sport has two divisions of Heelwork to Music where handlers have to work with dogs at heel for 65% of the routine. There are eight official heelwork positions. Heelwork routines emphasis the partnership of handler and dog walking/moving at heel and choreographing the heelwork to the music. The other category is Freestyle where 65% of a routine is freestyle and only 35% can be heelwork. Freestyle routines demonstrates the partnership by both handler and dog interpreting music using moves and linked behaviours. Canine freestyle GB and Paws N Music Association are the two main heelwork to music clubs - both hold several shows throughout the year and provide newsletters for members.

The UK Kennel Club in 2005 put together a working party to review the sport's rules and regulations. That working party brought together several high profile competitors, judges, and show managers to review the sport. This culminated in the revised rules coming into force on the 1.1.2007, which now includes the ability to work towards qualification after the dogs name.

External links

* http://www.caninefreestylegb.co.uk
* http://www.paws-n-music.co.uk
* http://www.heelworktomusic.co.uk
* http://www.worldcaninefreestyle.org