Miss-Delectable
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Hes Deaf But In The Crufts Final (from Malvern Gazette)
JEZZI the working sheepdog is very special, not only has he successfully qualified for this year's prestigious Crufts dog show, but he is also deaf.
His owners, the Bint family, of Barnards Green, are busily perfecting his obedience skills ahead of the big day, on March 9.
Six-year old Jezzi faces a tough task, competing alongside fully able dogs, but has already impressed judges at competitions around the country, claiming wins in five out of six classes.
His trainer, 14-year-old Sophie Bint, took on working with Jezzi from her father Rob, who works as a dog obedience trainer in Castlemorton and Malvern.
She has spent three years teaching Jezzi to respond to hand signals.
"He was quite difficult to teach at first, because of his deafness, and we had to treat him very nicely, as he found things much harder than normal dogs," she said.
Sophie and Jezzi will compete in the Young Kennel Club section of the competition at the NEC, in Birmingham, which is open to trainers under 24 years of age.
"I'm looking forward to it, but I'm also quite nervous," admitted Sophie, a pupil at The Chase.
Crufts is the biggest event in the dog show calendar and Sophie's dad Rob said it was a big achievement for Sophie to reach the event, especially as Jezzi is the first dog she has trained. "We're very proud of her," he said.
Jezzi was bred by the family and was deaf since birth, but through careful and intensive training has overcome his disability.
"It's very unusual for a deaf dog to reach Crufts, but I think, if he responds well on the day, he's in with a good chance," said Rob.
"He's a very stylish dog, and the judges will like that."
Rob is no stranger to Crufts success, the last dog of his to reach the competition won his obedience category, ten years ago.
"That border collie was Jezzi's great grandad, so we really hope Jezzi will follow in his footsteps," he added.
JEZZI the working sheepdog is very special, not only has he successfully qualified for this year's prestigious Crufts dog show, but he is also deaf.
His owners, the Bint family, of Barnards Green, are busily perfecting his obedience skills ahead of the big day, on March 9.
Six-year old Jezzi faces a tough task, competing alongside fully able dogs, but has already impressed judges at competitions around the country, claiming wins in five out of six classes.
His trainer, 14-year-old Sophie Bint, took on working with Jezzi from her father Rob, who works as a dog obedience trainer in Castlemorton and Malvern.
She has spent three years teaching Jezzi to respond to hand signals.
"He was quite difficult to teach at first, because of his deafness, and we had to treat him very nicely, as he found things much harder than normal dogs," she said.
Sophie and Jezzi will compete in the Young Kennel Club section of the competition at the NEC, in Birmingham, which is open to trainers under 24 years of age.
"I'm looking forward to it, but I'm also quite nervous," admitted Sophie, a pupil at The Chase.
Crufts is the biggest event in the dog show calendar and Sophie's dad Rob said it was a big achievement for Sophie to reach the event, especially as Jezzi is the first dog she has trained. "We're very proud of her," he said.
Jezzi was bred by the family and was deaf since birth, but through careful and intensive training has overcome his disability.
"It's very unusual for a deaf dog to reach Crufts, but I think, if he responds well on the day, he's in with a good chance," said Rob.
"He's a very stylish dog, and the judges will like that."
Rob is no stranger to Crufts success, the last dog of his to reach the competition won his obedience category, ten years ago.
"That border collie was Jezzi's great grandad, so we really hope Jezzi will follow in his footsteps," he added.