Fourteen-year-old Lily Fox, of Kneesall, won the 12–14 Dog of the Year competition at the International Agility Festival at Rutland Showground with her five-year-old Miniature Schnauzer, Willow.

Willow was originally bought simply as a pet, with Lily first trying agility at a local village show before the pair began formal training.

Willow isn’t the fastest dog and initially struggled to learn to weave, but after finding the right trainer the pair have gone from strength to strength.

This year alone, Lily has represented Agility Team GB in Germany for the first time, qualified for the Crufts ABC 12–17 competition, and has now added an IAF Dog of the Year title to her achievements.

Lily said: “We came to the IAF with no expectations. We just wanted to turn up, enjoy ourselves and not put too much pressure on it. Amazingly everything has just fallen into place.”

She travels to competitions with her mum, who she calls her “biggest supporter”, and says the agility community has helped her make friends and enjoy a sport she has become “addicted” to.

Lily and Willow are already qualified for the next Team GB try-outs, with Lily hoping to represent her country again.

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