From German
Shepherds
to the judging ring...
 Proud supporters of
the dog agility community, Naylor
Agility recognises it's about more than equipment and training. It' s about heart
and
the people and partnerships who make it so special. Who better to talk to than everyone's favourite judge and the latest inductee into the Agility Hall of
Fame than Angelo 'Doc' Docherty. Georgia Gregory caught up with him to hear more
about his journey, his passion for the sport and what his nomination meant to
him.
Doc' s introduction to
agility came through his wife, Judith who began training and competing with
their German Shepherd, Jack. From there, Doc quickly found his way into judging.
Starting out at unaffiliated shows such as Delinquent Dogs, he went on to take
his first Kennel Club appointment with Otley DTC at Pontefract Racecourse in 2008.
I wanted to hear more
about Doc's agility his passion for the sport and what the nomination
meant to him.
Q. What has
kept you so passionate about agility after all these years?
A.
For me, it's
simple. My lifelong passion is seeing the partnership between the dog and handler and the challenge of
designing grade appropriate courses for all grades.
Q. People say that you judge with heart and that balance of challenge, fairness and
respect for the dog runs through everything you do. What do you look for most during a
run?
A.
I prioritise the
welfare of the dog, always. A correctly and safely run course, enjoyed by both
the dog and handler is my goal.
Q. Agility has
changed enormously since you first stepped into the ring,
but the equipment, rules and regulations
and skills required from handlers along with the fundamentals of care, respect
and teamwork; these remain at the core Is there any particular run that
stands out in your memory?
A.
One
run I'll
never forget was watching Caroline Key run her deaf dog, Seren whose name
fittingly means 'Star' in Welsh. It' s a story that sums
up the very best of agility - resilience, trust and the unbreakable bond between
dog and handler. Their first run together was a struggle, but
what followed left a lasting mark on me. Her next run was a
stunning clear, resulting in a win. To see that kind of partnership is emotional
and unforgettable, and it definitely brought tears to my eyes.
Q. What was your reaction to having been nominated for The Agility Hall of Fame?
A.
I was in total shock. I was humbled, proud and more than a little excited - and grateful
- for the recognition from the agility community
which I've been a part. Looking to the future, I think about the opportunities larger rings bring to course design, and
the way agility continues to evolve with fresh challenges for judges and
handlers alike.
Q. After all those
years of experience, what advice do you have for those starting out?
A.
For judges, I'd say love and be proud of your
time in the ring. Things will go wrong. Learn and grow from it. Be punctual.
Appreciate your ring party. When your course is being walked don' t listen to
comments. It can be soul destroying. Listen to genuine concerns, take advice and
act as you feel appropriate.
And for handlers,
just relax and have fun. You
might have the best run ever or you might have the worst run ever but, at the
end of the day, you take the best dog to the ring and the best dog home.
Thank you, Doc for
taking the time to talk to us. Stories like yours are
exactly why Naylor Agility is honoured to support the Agilitynet Hall of Fame.
It shines a light on the people, partnerships and passion that make agility so
much more than just a sport. It' s a community built on trust, respect and love
for our dogs.
We' d like to congratulate
you on
your well-deserved nomination, and thank everyone across the agility world who
continues to inspire, judge, train and compete with such dedication.
 About
the author...
Georgia Gregory
is Marketing Executive at Naylor Agility, UK
manufacturers of quality agility equipment for training at home or club or hire
for shows and events.
First published
30th October 2025 | 