THREE of Dorset’s top dog handlers will be jetting off to Milan in April to represent Britain in the IFCS (International Federation of Cynological Sports) World Championships.

Dawn Weaver, Tracy Runyeard and Tracy Ryan will represent Team GB as part of a team of 14 going to the event, as well as 19 different canines in total.

Last year, GB hauled in five medals, including two gold and three bronze in the Netherlands.

Weaver, from Portland, was a medallist last time out and will be the team leader at the event in the spring with more than 25 years' experience in the sport.

She was once introduced at Crufts by the presenter at the show as having won just about every competition there is to win in canine agility.

Weaver is also a published author of books about canine agility training, and is also a seminal referee and international trainer. She will be running two dogs in Italy called Galaxy and Breezer.

The experienced handler is currently competing, teaching and training in America.

Runyeard, from Okeford Fitzpaine, is also an experienced member of the Team GB squad.

A medallist at the World Championship last year, she has competed on numerous occasions at Olympia and Crufts and has been involved in canine agility for around 20 years.

Runyeard will be running two dogs - Tizzy, and Rumba, who is a wildcard and well worth looking out for.

Another medallist from last year’s event, Ryan has also competed at Crufts and Olympia with Tink, who she will run with in Milan.

She has been doing agility for about 20 years and also shares Tink with her daughter.

Five of the dogs competing for Team GB at the event in total come from Dorset.