The Main Ring- Discover Dogs 2016!

On 22nd and 23rd October 2016, over 3,000 dogs will be taking to the halls of ExCeL London for the city's largest dog show, Discover Dogs. With over 100 stalls to shop from and a 'Discover Dogs' section to meet some of the 200+ Kennel Club accredited dog breeds in, there is just so much to do at the show.
My humans' favourite part of Discover Dogs is the Main Ring, where displays from top dog handlers and doggies and competitions take place. This year, the Main Ring programme is possibly the best its ever been, with no less than FIVE agility competitions taking place in one day and a wealth of glorious displays to watch.
As you could easily spend hours and hours at the show, I have chosen my five top things in the Main Ring for you to witness...


1) As I go on and on about them every single year, my #1 must-see display is, of course, the Southern Golden Retrievers. Performing in the Main Ring at 14:20 on Saturday and 16:25 on Sunday, there is no way that you can miss the group. Consisting of sixteen golden retrievers and their humums and dads, the group choreograph obedience skills to music. So, so adorable.

2) Certainly not for those with sensitive ears, Flyball is undoubtedly the most exhilarating of dog sports. Teams of four dog and handlers (and substitutes)  compete against one another in a relay-based race. Dogs of all breeds and sizes pound down a row of jumps to get a tennis ball and must successfully return back down the course for the next dog to be sent on his way. Warning: there will be lots of barking. 15:15 on Saturday and 13:00 on Sunday- be there!

3) The queen of heelwork to music is taking to Discover Dogs 2016... Mary Ray is back. Having introduced doggie dancing to the UK 27 years ago, Mary Ray and her gorgeous dogs are performing in the Main Ring on Saturday at 15:10 and 11:30 on Sunday. With costumes and tricks executed to perfection, if you want to see how dancing is really done, make sure you head to see Mary Ray. The handler is also doing a demonstration in the Main Ring on how to train your dog obedience skills is at 12:35 on Saturday and 13:50 on Sunday so if her display inspires you to get involved, do not miss it.

4) My favourite sport of all doggie activities is arguably canine's most famous: agility. Hurdling over jumps, climbing up ramps and crawling through tunnels, this fast-paced sport really does entertain everyone, whether they're human or dog. I used to train in this sport myself and even now, at nearly 11 years old, do I jump over poles or fences at every opportunity (even when my humans tell me not to). There are loads of agility competitions taking place across the weekend but the Crufts ABC (All But Collies) semi-finals are at 15:35 on Saturday and 14:40 on Sunday. You could be watching a future Crufts champion!

5) There are not many occasions where you get to see for yourself the training that police dogs undertake prior to getting out in the field but at Discover Dogs the Metropolitan Police are in the Main Ring showing exactly what it takes. The display team put dogs through their paces in a number of tasks, which all prepare them for life as a police dog. There are likely be dogs of all different levels and breeds in the Ring, from puppies that have just begun training to police dogs with years of experience. An intense display but always incredible to see.

Discover Dogs is now 19 days away and I simply cannot wait.

I hope to see you there!

Talk soon, Jasper x

REMEMBER: You could WIN your way into Discover Dogs by entering into my competition here

Deadline: this Friday 7th October

For more information on Eukanuba Discover Dogs, visit http://discoverdogs.org.uk/

To purchase tickets to the show (and remember under 12s get FREE entry), click here