Heelwork to Music

What Is Heelwork To Music?

Heelwork to Music is a competition giving handlers an opportunity to demonstrate skillful movements by their dog and to perform heelwork and freestyle movements in a combined manner that interprets the chosen music and reflects the dog and handler working as a team.

This is done by incorporating Obedience skills within a choreographed routine, which has been devised by the handler, alongside a chosen piece of music.

There are two types of class, Freestyle and Heelwork, the main difference being that Heelwork focuses on a dog's ability to stay in variations of the heel position while the handler moves to music, whereas Freestyle demands that the dog perform a variety of tricks and other Obedience talents not necessarily in the heel position.

Can Any Dog Take Part?

Heelwork to Music is open to all dogs so your dog does not have to be a pedigree or pure-bred dog to take part, but it must be registered with the Kennel Club on either the Breed Register or the Activity Register.

All competing dogs must be aged 12 calendar months or over on the day of a Heelwork competition whilst all competing dogs must be aged 18 calendar months or over on the day of a Freestyle competition.

If you decide that Heelwork to Music is the activity for you and your dog, your next step is to receive some expert training, for a list of Heelwork to Music training clubs, call 0844 463 3980, ext. 212 or visit the Find a Club page.

How Do I Compete?

Download a list of YKC Heelwork to Music Qualifiers for details of clubs that hold classes which qualify members for the YKC ring at Crufts each year. Please also ensure you read the YKC Heelwork to Music Rules & Regulations before entering any class.

At these heats the first and second placed member from each subdivision will qualify provided there are at least six dogs entered into the division.  If there are less than six dogs only the first place will qualify.

YKC 2011 Heelwork to Music Qualifier Results

The first and second placed dog and handler in each subdivision from each heat will qualify for the Final which will take place at Crufts. (Please note that there must be at least six dogs entered into the subdivision in the heat. If there are less than size dogs, only the first place dog and handler will qualify).
All competing dogs must be aged 12 calendar months or over on the day of a Heelwork competition. All competing dogs must be aged 18 calendar months or over on the day of a Freestyle competition.
Handlers are placed into the age group in accordance with their age on the first day of Crufts.