Darcie and Domino to compete at Crufts this weekend

A 10-year-old girl from Milnrow and her best friend Domino are competing at Crufts on Saturday (11 March).

Darcie Fleming will be competing in the Young Kennel Club Handling category (ages 6-11 years) with her young whippet Kentwone Darkest Star – known as Domino at home.

Domino was bought for Darcie on her eighth birthday. The duo began competing in the Young Kennel Club handling classes at shows across the UK in January 2022, and also attended two training days, giving them the confidence to achieve Darcie’s dream.
 

Read more: Darcie and Domino set sights on Crufts 2023Published: 02 July 2022

 

 

In her first year competing, Darcie has built up enough points to qualify to compete at the UK’s most prestigious dog show.

Darcie and her family have been attending Crufts as spectators since she was six years old, after asking to visit when watching on television.

Each year, she would tell her parents that she wanted to be there one day with her own dog.

“Since Darcie started showing in January 2022, she has put endless hours of training into Domino to fulfil her dream of competing at Crufts,” her mum, Lucy Abbott, said. “As a family we have no previous knowledge or experience of showing dogs and Darcie has learnt everything through research online, asking questions at shows and watching others in the ring.

“Darcie and Domino are completely inseparable. Wherever Darcie goes, Domino is never far behind; if Darcie could take her to school with her, she would.”

Darcie said: “I’m excited and a little bit nervous. I have always dreamt of going to Crufts with my own dog but can’t believe I’ve actually made it; I’m so happy that Domino will be the first dog I’m going to be there with.”

The duo have been sponsored by a Shaw business, Wellies.com.