The best agility dog is a rescue dog...

Over Easter Weekend, Adams Agility hosted the 2019 Dog Agility Rescue League (DARL) Final. 101 dogs came from across the country - from Carlisle to Wales to Berkshire and everywhere in between - all for one thing. Their aim was to prove that rescue dogs really do make the best agility dogs. Any clear rounds or even winning their category would be a bonus. Beth Rachlis reports with input from international agility judge Neil Ellis.

The Dog Agility Rescue League has been run now for over a decade. It is open to any dog not bought by the handler from a breeder. If it's rescued from anywhere else, it's classed as a rescue. This year was going to be our year.

Izzie had qualified for the Large for the League Finals for the third year in a row, and this year she was in Large G4-5. You can read about her previously here and here.

However, this year it wasn't our time to shine. Izzie cut her paw on Thursday at a pit stop on the way down. Sometimes you have to make those tough decisions, and I pulled her from the Final and all of her runs that weekend. When life lives you lemons...

So, what next? We have a busy summer planned. I'm going to try my hardest to qualify for the Finals again and if we are successful, no more pits tops on the way down! I'm also hoping to represent the UK in Spain as part of the PAWC Team.

Not being able to compete, however, meant that I got the opportunity to assist in the behind the scenes, watch some fantastic runs, chat to people from across the UK who came to compete and write this report.  For me, what shone throughout the day was the was the love that people had for their dogs. There were the Border Collies, crossbreeds and then some more unusual dogs such as the Xoloitzuintli, a Chihuahua entering his first ever KC show and a Beagle. Everyone wanted to celebrate, and everyone had a story about the adversity made them and their dog stronger.'

After the event, I spoke to Nigel Perry who has been the DARL organiser since 2018.

He said, 'I'm proud to run the Rescue League and I really want to take it to the next level. I think we are doing so when a world class judge like Neil Ellis wants to fit us in with their busy judging commitments. I first Neil him at the IMCA/PAWC Championships, and knew as soon as I saw his courses I wanted him to judge for us.

I think it is surreal that we have rescues in the League that are and have competed for our countries. It is an amazing achievement all round. My motto is that ‘The best agility dog is a rescue dog.' I saw the comment on the reverse side of a handler's hoody whilst judging at a show a couple of months ago, and it stuck with me. It resonates so much about what we do, what we stand for- rescue dogs really are the best agility dogs.

I want to thank everyone who has helped support the League and the Final. I couldn't do what I do without the huge amount of support beside me. I have a great team.

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Pizza was ordered for all.

Meet Some of the Winners

When the Finals had finished for the day, everyone was invited to a pizza party, and I talked to some of the competitors about their rescue dogs and their runs.

Katherine Newcombe - Winner of G1-2 Small (Overall)
I met Indie when she was just four months old. She was the runt of an accidental litter and had been dropped at a local rescue as unwanted because of her size. They called her Shrimpy. I sat on the floor and played a little game of tug with her with an old towel. She was so feisty for such a small dog that I knew I had to have her!

I started training in agility after watching the Small Champ Finals at Crufts. At that point, I never knew how a big part of our lives it would become. I have met some of my closest friends through training and competing - people whom I trust for their advice, understanding and motivation. We are making so many incredible memories as we go. I can't wait to see what we can achieve together.

Indie is now three years old and is in Grade 5. This year we are travelling to the World Agility Open as part of Team Wales

I didn't even question the three hour journey to made the DARL Finals. Indie had worked super hard to be there. As the raffle grew and I saw how much work Nigel was putting in, I felt super proud to have been invited.

The best part of the weekend was running the courses. I got so excited just walking Neil's courses, and I knew we were going to have a blast running them. We are so lucky to have been able to run them. When we run, I'm competing against myself, the course and what we've trained. Our runs in the Final showed me both how far we have come since entering the League and how far we have to go.

I would like to say a huge thank you to Nigel and everyone who put together the Finals this year. Already it's the highlight of our 2019.

Lucy Wheelwright - 2nd place Medium G4-5 (Overall)
Tubby is a Spanish rescue. He was due to be put to sleep at just six months old as no one wanted him. He was brought to the UK by a rescue charity, but once again no one wanted him. He had never been lead walked, had never played with a toy and was often picked on by the other dogs.

Tubby is my first competing Agility dog, and we made it all the way Grade 1 to Grade 7 in just two years.

He is super clever and a very loving boy but he also can be very nervous. He is at his happiest when he is with me whether when I am in bed, going to agility or at the pub. Agility means that Tubby and I get to spend a lot of time together, and he trusts me to protect him. If he gets scared, he runs and jumps in my arms. So as long as he is happy, I am happy!

This was our third year of being invited to the Finals, but I think it may be our last as he is now Grade 7 which is a lot harder! And it took us over four hours to get there!

The best part of the weekend was finding out he had won the Finals Agility class! It was a massive shock and I really wasn't expecting it. We just went for fun!

Nicole Turner - Ring Manager and 2nd in Large G6-7 (Overall)
I got Taff from Lily's Rescue when he was 13 weeks old. He was one of two puppies left from a farm litter that the farmer was going to get rid of until somebody stepped in and saved them. I fell in love with him as soon as I saw his photo.

He started Foundation Agility when he was 10 months old, and he took to it like a total natural. He now competes in Grade 7/Champ where he has made it to a few Finals. His best result to date was a 3rd in the Champ final at Rugby of which I'm very proud. He has competed at Olympia and won the Crufts Novice Cup at three years old.

Taff is my best friend and has changed my life. I can't wait for more exciting times ahead. This was his fourth consecutive year competing in the DARL Finals. It's so much fun and I will always aim to make the journey to compete in the Final if I can.

This year's finals were so much fun. I massively enjoyed the challenging courses set by Neil Ellis and the atmosphere around the ring was perfect! Very proud to be part of such a great cause. I hope my young Many Tears Rescue will gain some points to compete in the Final next year, too!

More about DARL

The Dog Agility Rescue League is open to anyone who competes with a rescue dog. It runs from the 22nd December to 21st December the next year. As long as the dog and handler get a rosette at a show, even if its only for a clear round, they can claim points towards the League. There are separate Leagues for grades  G1-2, G3, G4-5, G6-7, all heights. Our Veterans / Allsorts League is for older dogs and those which are coming back from an injury.

In order to qualify for the Finals, handlers must enter their points on-line after every show - irrespective of it being a KC, UKA or an independent show. The handler and dog must be in the top 50% of their respective height and grade to qualify for a invitation.

All of classed are sponsored, so there are trophies and rosettes for all heights / grades. After the Finals presentations are awarded to the winners of the league. It all makes for a really great day out for all our 4-legged, second chance pals.

Anyone wanting to join in the fun can find out more by joining the Facebook group where there is a lot more information including a walk through of how to log points onto the system, and more details about qualifying for the Finals. Alternatively, visit the DARL web site.

 We are also starting our own quarterly emailed newsletter with a lot of different things going on inside it.

Forever Agility
In addition to the Final, DARL and Nigel have also organised a raffle for Forever Agility, a new charity set up by Neil Ellis and Ryan Hennessy, in memory of Ann Hennessey who recently passed away. From the raffle alone, over £1,250 was raised for Forever Agility, with an almost £200 added by Adams and their Pay on the Day Ring.

For more information about Forever Agility, visit their Facebook page at

About the author...
Beth Rachlis currently lives in Newcastle with her two rescue crossbreeds and competes in agility. 

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