Heelwork to music

Heelwork to music is a dog sport similar to musical canine freestyle.

United Kingdom

The sport is officially recognised by the Kennel Club. The sport has evolved since the early 1990s when obedience handler Mary Ray first demonstrated the sport at Crufts. Rugby Dog Club held the first show in 1996 and this show has continued to be the highlight of the sporting year.

2005 saw the first invitational competition at Crufts, and was won by Tina Humphrey and her blue merle Border Collie, Bluecroft My Blue Heaven (a rescue dog from a council dog pound). 2006 saw the first proper Crufts competition. Rugby Dog Training Club now host the official Crufts SemiFinal Competition where advanced handlers who have competed at qualifying events throughout the year compete for the first ten places and the chance to work at Crufts. The sport has two divisions - Heelwork to Music where handlers have to work with dogs at heel for two thirds of the routine and only one third can be heelwork. There are eight official heelwork positions. Heelwork routines emphasis the partnership of handler and dog walking/moving at heel and choreographing the heelwork to the music. The other category is Freestyle where two thirds of a routine is freestyle and only one third can be heelwork. Freestyle routines demonstrates the partnership by both handler and dog interpreting music using moves and linked behaviours. Canine Freestyle GB and Paws N Music Association are the two main Heelwork to Music clubs - both hold several shows throughout the year and provide newsletters for members.