World Championship!

Hi Everyone!

So most of you will know that Kahlan and I qualified in June to represent the UK, in our dog sport called IGP (basically police dog training for fun), at the World Championships in Hungary (October 2023) We are part of a team of 5 dogs and handlers who will be representing Great Britain.

Our sport is made up of three elements: tracking, obedience and protection.

Tracking = the dogs must follow a trail of human scent left over natural terrain such as grass or dirt, indicating any "evidence" articles that have been left behind.

Obedience = this is similar to what you see you at Crufts including; heelwork, positions (sit/down/stand), recalls, dumbbell retrieves over 1m hurdles and 6ft scaling walls, down stays whilst ignoring other dogs and gun shots, and send outs where the dog must run the length of the field in the direction indicated until told to stop and lie down.

Protection = this is where the dog's courage is tested as they must take on the "Bad Man". Any attempts by the "criminals" to escape or attack either dog or handler must be immediately prevent by the dogs, but they have to listen to all commands given by their handler's straight away.

We have kindly been given some sponsorship money from my sports organisation - the German Shepherd Dog League, but as this is the only offer of sponsorship Kahlan and I have received we are asking friends and family for help in order to make this trip , and experience of a lifetime, financially viable. I simply cannot afford to go without help

I have been asked by several people how they can contribute so felt that setting up a GoFundMe was probably the easiest option.

Thank you in advance to anyone who has anything to contribute. I hate asking, but I don't want to let a lack of money mean we miss out on this opportunity! The cost of travelling by van from South Wales to Hungary, all the relevant vet checks, vaccinations, and travel form completions, plus our accommodation and living whilst in Hungary for nearly two weeks is quickly adding up already.

We promise we will try our hardest to qualify on the world stage, but I can guarantee we will have an amazing time regardless!

Thank you!

Bethan and Kahlan x