Flyball team 'privileged' to qualify for Crufts

The Northants Falcons Flyball team is gearing up for its quarter final at Crufts

A flyball team from Northamptonshire is preparing for its participation in next month's Crufts.

The Northants Falcons Flyball senior team, which trains at the Piggeries in Bozeat, will head to the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham for the 11th time after competing in three qualifiers.

Its Crufts captain, Claire Desborough, said it was a "privilege" to qualify for the quarter finals and that it took a lot of "hard work" to get the dogs to competition standard.

Flyball is a high-speed sport where four dogs race in relay to fetch balls.

Moose, the team's pure bred Labrador, is the fastest flyball Labrador in Europe

This year's team is made up of pure breed Labrador Moose, alongside cross breeds Fiddy, Lola and Pace.

There are also two spares - Cody, a pure breed Collie, and Thor, a cross breed.

Moose is currently Europe's fastest pure breed Labrador under UK rules, holding a record of 3.84 seconds to get to the end of the course and back.

Ms Desborough said being at Crufts was "overwhelming".

"You can't compare it to any other flyball competition," she said.

"It's brutal really. It's three legs and then you're done.

"The build-up is amazing and it's such a privilege to get there. To qualify, it's a real achievement."

Lola is part of the four dog team competing in the flyball quarter finals

This year's Falcons team will also make history - for the first time ever, two of the six handlers are under 16.

Sienna, aged 11, will run Fiddy, while Izzy, aged 14, will run Lola.

It will be the first time the girls will have competed in the main arena.

Sienna said: "I'll be running Fiddy. He's just amazing."

Izzy added: "Lola is very nice to run. She's got a big personality... she loves the crowd cheering her on."

'Pinnacle of all flyball'

The Northants Falcons formed in 2006 and has competed in flyball at Crufts many times, with its senior team participating in 10 tournaments and the junior team attending twice.

Club captain Katie Mabbutt said Crufts was "the pinnacle of all flyball".

"There is a lot of training and there's only 14 slots to chase... as the winner and runner up of the previous year automatically qualify.

"This year will be difficult as we take on the runners up in our heat."

The Northants Falcons will be in action on 7 March, with Crufts running until 10 March.