A six-year-old boy from Bolton will be one of the youngest competitors at Crufts this year as he makes his debut at the world’s greatest dog show after just five months of showing. Jacob Kenwright has been in the ring for just a matter of months and was counting down the days to hit the minimum entry age requirement of six.
And he has now successfully qualified to compete on the famous green carpet, accompanied by four-year-old Jack Russell, Jemima.
Jacob is set to compete in the Jack Russell breed category, as well as the 6-11-year-old young handler competition, on Saturday - and Mum Leigh admits he simply can’t wait for his bow.
She said: “He is so excited, I think I am a lot more nervous than he is..“He is just so excited to get in the ring. It has been such a build-up for him, he’s just desperate to get going now.
“He’s at a good age now, he doesn’t mind if he wins or loses, he is the first one to go up and congratulate whoever wins. He just enjoys it; he just likes being there with Jemima.
“Jacob has been desperate to show since he was tiny and then finally when he turned six I got him into his first show.”
Jacob competed in his first show four days after his sixth birthday, being awarded his first Young Kennel Club points, qualifying for Crufts on his second attempt.
The tight-knit bond between Jacob and Jemima will be on show for all of the thousands of spectators at Crufts to see on Saturday, with crowds flocking to Birmingham’s NEC despite snowy conditions.
And while Jacob might have always been set for a future in dog handling, his relationship with Jemima has been the key to success at such an early age.
Leigh added: “Jacob is the third generation of dog handlers in my family.There’s me, his aunty, and his nanna all show dogs.
“Jacob first came to Crufts when he was still in my belly and then he’s been every year since. The first six years of his life have been spent at the side of the ring just watching and supporting.”
Leigh got Jack Russell Jemima when she was around four months old, and she got on ‘instantly; with Jacob.
“It was a very excited toddler and a very excited puppy,” she added. “They have a fantastic relationship. From day one they loved each other, they spent all their time together, they are constantly playing in the garden, they get on so well.
“When Jacob went to his first show, I don’t think there was a question which dog he was taking, he already knew it would be Jemima.”
Crufts, run by The Kennel Club, is one of the world’s biggest international dog shows and is held from 9-12 March 2023 at the NEC Birmingham. Viewers can follow all the action and highlights on Channel 4 and More4, and for further information and tickets visit crufts.org.uk
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