Page 13 - Real Rochdale Issue 18 Summer 2023

Darcie & Domino: taking the After looking online for a Whippets, she informs us, When asked how she felt to
breeder, Domino came to join
should be “stacked and
place fourth out of 13
dog-showing world by storm the family for Darcie’s eighth square” and moves Domino contestants at her first Crufts
birthday, and got her name into the appropriate position. show, Darcie said: “I was so
not only for her distinctive Whilst she’s found training happy and excited – and I was
black-and-white colouring, Domino fairly easy, the so proud of Domino. I gave her
but also because Domino’s hardest bit has been the biggest hug!”
pizza had been enjoyed that keeping her still when Darcie
evening! has to move round her for the The pair have already
judges. qualified for Crufts 2024 – as
In order to qualify for Crufts, has her new edition who is a
Darcie and Domino – known After the judges have checked papillon called Checkers –
as Kentwone Darkest Star at over the breed, they are after winning a string of shows
shows – began competing in required to perform a piece of since March. At the time of
the Young Kennel Club pattern work, which will get writing, Darcie returned from
handling classes. harder as Darcie moves up the the National Dog Show in
age ranks. Stafford with a fourth and
Darcie began showing fifth place with Domino, plus a
Domino when she was just “I was scared in the ring, and second place for Checkers.
nine months old (the minimum I thought we had done
age limit is six months) and rubbishly. I didn’t think we’d If that hasn’t been keeping
quickly gained enough points be shortlisted, but when they them busy enough, Darcie also
to qualify, even bagging said my name over the tannoy, raised £285 for bone cancer
herself a sponsor, I started to think that maybe research by walking a mile
Wellies.com. we’d done well. I didn’t think after school over two months
we’d make it into the top six,” in honour of her grandad, who
“I didn’t think I’d get to Crufts she explained. has the disease.
in my first year,” Darcie said.
“It was a lot bigger than the “When they were waiting, When asked what her goals
other shows and I didn’t think Domino was sat on Darcie’s for the future are, Darcie said:
I’d get round it all.” knee, and it came over the “I want to win Best in Show at
tannoy that ‘that whippet is Crufts, and I’d like to be a vet
Her mum, Lucy Abbott, added: having the time of its life,” who specialises in dogs, or a
“I think she was a little Lucy said. professional groomer.”
overwhelmed because it was
so different.”

Darcie appeared at Crufts in
March, showing Domino in the
Young Kennel Club handling
hound category.
Photo: Gregory Couzens
Young Handling classes are
Whoever said diamonds are a girl’s best friend Her family have been attending the prestigious comprised of showing a
– and that dogs are man’s best friend – hasn’t show as spectators since she was six years old, particular breed; whippets are
met Darcie and Domino: a formidable duo with a young Darcie telling her parents that she to be shown on a table (Darcie
taking the dog-showing world by storm, despite wanted to be there one day with her own dog. and Domino are more than
being relatively new to the scene. happy to demonstrate, with
With the family already owning two Domino jumping onto their
10-year-old Darcie Fleming has already Patterdales and a Chihuahua, it was decided home practice table
realised one of her life dreams, after showing that a whippet – a child-friendly breed suitable immediately).
her own dog at the world-famous Crufts Dog for showing – would be perfect for Darcie to
Show. call her very own.
REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2023 12 13 REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2023