Crufts international heelwork to music freestyle 2023 - Desiree van Zon and border collie Tess

4th place / 13 Crufts international freestyle competition: Desiree van Zon and 11 year old border collie Tess

[@louiselincoln]

That part at the end especially where she goes back under the cloth and Tess knows the timing of precisely when to play dead...wow. Great end to the piece. I think I'll show this to some of my school kids as a 'Halloween themed' discussion piece. Great combination of music, animals, dance, discipline, training and symbolism...so much for them to unpick!

[@desstesss]

I love that!

[@louiselincoln]

I'm sure they'll love it too. Thank you @@desstesss (and sorry I referred to you as 'she' in the comment above, a bit rude of me).

[@desstesss]

@@louiselincoln Oh no problem I don't mind 😊

[@MandA1900]

@louiselincoln When l was a child, l would be really told of if l called anybody a 'she' as l was always told 'she' is a cats 🐈 mother' whether that's true or not, l don't know, but now as an adult it still has stayed with me, and l told my children never to call or refer to anybody as 'she'. But l knew you were not being disrespectful to the lady. ❤️

[@lindaincolorado7854]

I loved their routine. Tess was superb! Ms. van Zon must be so proud of her. The two of them make an amazing team.

[@flamethefrog7369]

Tess is already 11 and competing at Crufts?!🥺🤯 you two did fantastically!! Huge congratulations on 4th place!!!

[@desstesss]

Thank you! It was her last competition actually

[@MandA1900]

​@@desstesssYour dog should have got 1st place, superb routine very clever dog 🐕 ❤❤❤❤

[@MandA1900]

@desstesss It would be lovely if you could show us more routines your amazing dogs 🐕 ❤️ can do, l really appreciated both your competition routines and the precision of your competition routine. it's a shame your dog has now retired, as your beautiful dog 🐕 performed so well. But Tess bows out at the top of her enjoyable to watch 'Crufts International heelwork to music freestyle 2023' Well done, Tess and well done to your owner 👏 who did so well in teaching you, may you have many happy years together ❤️

[@PatasEmPauta]

11 yr old! Amazing performance! I see no jumps, respecting dog limits, still very entertaining! Congratz!

[@desstesss]

Thank you, I appreciate it that you recognize this.

[@hayleyferguson3346]

This should've ranked higher than 4th! Way better than some other winners I've seen. 😊

[@desstesss]

Thank you😊

[@ClassicOpinion]

It’s my opinion: ~This was the best routine I’ve ever seen…..The dogs interaction and knowledge with the music and his independence from mom oh my~

[@josorr]

Four things: Imagination, time, a smart dog, and.... LOVE.

[@ogami1972]

Absolutely stunning! Such trust from both sides, it brings tears to my eyes!

[@jonathanmaccollum6694]

Love the song, but this performance takes it to a whole new level! Absolutely incredible! You two are fantastic together... And... That finale!!!

[@desstesss]

Thank you!

[@constancespellman9560]

Having trained dogs in AKC Obedience I can appreciate all the time and training that went into this. Pure perfection.

[@Anna-lg4cr]

That was a truly an amazing performance, when at the end Tess played dead she was so in beat to the end, just fabulous!

[@desstesss]

Thank you!

[@pwcorgi2000]

I love how Crufts is more interested in breed ability and intelligence more than the breed standard in the AKC.

[@madwhitehare3635]

Hmmmm.....Its previous record isn't so stellar. It's been forced to clean up its act over the past ten years. A lot of dog breeders are heartlessly and crazily obsessed with looks.

[@constancespellman9560]

There is more to the AKC than the show ring. There's Agility, Obedience, Rally, Field, Hunting, Herding, Farm Dog, Temperament Test, Lure Coursing, Tracking, Earthdog, Coonhound and Scent Work.

[@bethpeterson3205]

Thinkin' you might not be seeing the complete picture in regards to a "breeds' ability & intelligence" in relation to a breeds' conformation standard. The standard, which describes how an individual breed is built, is why the dog has the structure & movement to allow him or her to accomplish various tasks.

[@constancespellman9560]

The show ring has it's place in the dog world. Many things in the standards that are considered a fault can come back when the dog is older and cause health problems.

[@grrawesomenessc.8399]

I have heard this song what feels like a hundred times in animations from animation students, I've never seen one of these shows before but this got recommended to me. And wow, I had no idea you could even train a dog to do a fourth of the things I just watched! You are one amazing, dedicated owner and handler of such a beautiful dog. I don't know what the other performances were like but this is top tier in my heart.

[@desstesss]

Thank you!

[@Oxford322]

So cute! Great work!!

[@jeanneratterman4174]

This video put a big smile on my face this morning! Thank you! Such an intelligent and happy pup! 11 years old! Amazing!

[@nikiTricoteuse]

What a joy to watch this magnificent creature doing what they love best - pleasing their people. What a good girl Tess is and so clever!

[@samanthamcgahan2066]

I was mesmerized!! Thank you!! ❤❤❤

[@dorothywillis1]

Great choice of music and using the natural movements a dog makes in the choreography!

[@davidmarrier2737]

I'd never heard of such routines being done with choreography. I'm so impressed. Really, just wonderful .

[@desstesss]

Thank you!

[@kimchurches5146]

Incredible! Nice job!!❤

[@wendyroberts2236]

Some people can't get their dog to sit and you manage all this without a leash or treats? WOW!!!!

[@desstesss]

Thank you! We do a lot of training with treats and toys/playing but they like this 'game' so much they willingly do it without rewards as well.

[@trinacogitating4532]

​@@desstesss That was a wonderful performance. Really ambitious, and executed do well. I was impressed by the section where she backed toward you. What a team!

[@briankelly5816]

Absolutely fantastic and amazing ❤❤❤❤

[@janetdear6429]

💪 awesome thanks 🖤😎👍

[@carolanderson2648]

Amazing!! You can see and feel the love you have for each other. How long to learn to do this? How many programs do you have? You most have alot of awards together. Dogs are so smart and loveable. Have many happy years together!

[@desstesss]

Thank you! I got her at 8 weeks old and we've have been training since then. I practice almost every day with my dogs and generally it takes about 4-6 years to get to this level I think (it all depends on how often you practice, how consistent you are in your training, how good you are at 'explaining' things to your dog and how fast the dog picks up new things).

[@sbdreamin]

I can tell Tess thinks that is so much fun! @@desstesss

[@mollysimmons2960]

I Love the Beauty, Grace & Brilliant Intelligence of the Boarder Collie 💞 ✨Absolutely the most amazing human-dog connection in all the dog breeds✨

[@denisek292]

Wow….y’all are amazing! The bond you have w/ Tess is obvious. And you’ve had her since you were 13, which is so sweet. 🤩 I didn’t know this competition existed. Y’all are definetly better than ballet. ❤

[@desstesss]

Thank you so much!

[@whitepawsyumi]

Ahh so cool seeing you guys there! Congratulations on the 4th place, you two did amazing

[@desstesss]

Thank you 😁

[@christinae30]

Very elegant when she combined the handling gesture for the dog with pretending to play the violin!

[@paulajay6879]

Beautifully Perfect!🥰👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@divinemadness7119]

Brilliant! 👏🏼❤️

[@sharonbowers9929]

❤❤❤❤ This was a amazing!!! Incredible!

[@vivalaleta]

Wow. Crazy good.

[@SagePaw11]

Amazing, impressive freestyle routine!! congrats on 4th at Crufts !

[@desstesss]

Thank you!

[@boxerblvd3514]

Amazing. I'm having a hard time getting my puppy to come called. 😅

[@donaldauguston9740]

Absolutely amazing. Thank you for posting. DA

[@jannetteberends8730]

Dance macabre was one of my childhood favourites. This wasn’t a music choice I would expect on a dog show. But she did it perfectly well, catching the atmosphere of the music. Including the dog stealing the arm of the skeleton. In animations of this piece, there is always some humor included.

[@desstesss]

Dance Macabre has always been a favourite of mine as well. Thank you!

[@ljubicastankovic123]

Wow! This is truly mind blowingly amazing!!!

[@desstesss]

Thank you!

[@ljubicastankovic123]

@@desstesss No problem, dear!

[@karinjohansson7262]

This is amazing! I have an 11 year American Cocker and sometimes he do freestyle with me, but to performance at Crufts with an 11 year old must be very special!

[@desstesss]

Thank you! It was, especially since she's my heart dog it was a dream doing this with her and her only ❤

[@karinjohansson7262]

@@desstesss i can understand that! ♥️ She is wonderful!

[@patriciapark3545]

Wow brilliant excellent ❤❤❤

[@hopalstudiosjuliehattis]

Amazing ❤

[@iricandescence]

Wow!!

[@jeniasmackay7931]

Love it

[@theonicolaas3352]

Super!! Echt geweldig. Mijn collie heet Liefie en ze doet haar naam eer aan. Ongelooflijk snel. Als andere honden de bal na het wegschieten nog moeten gaan halen, is zij al terug. Zelfs voor border collie is ze extreem snel. Als je ooit dansles voor honden gaat geven, graag

[@desstesss]

Dankjewel! Ik ben zelf zo niet van plan lessen te geven maar als je wil kan ik wel wat mensen aanraden

[@CLGUWS3746]

Really impressive!

[@Focusthesheltie]

Omg how amazing!! 😍😍👏

[@Ecclectic_citcelccE]

Wow!

[@kellyb7005]

Such an awesome, interpretation!! I had found it this morning but had to try to look it up and see it again. AMAZING!! WELL DONE!!! How long did you both practice the routine? Timing was PERFECT 💓💓💓💓❤❤❤❤❤

[@desstesss]

Thank you! I started creating this routine (first on paper) about 2,5-3 years ago. It took me about 2 years to come up with the entire routine, changing it here and there when it wouldn't go as smooth as I liked or when I got a better idea. Then the real training started and the last year we did some competitions with it to see how the judges liked it.

[@kellyb7005]

@@desstesss I know that Tess is a Border Collie. Beautiful, beautiful baby. I had a sister who had Shetland Sheepdogs. As I watched you both dance, I thought to myself that none of them would have the patience to keep up with the practice. I love how Tess would back up and not look behind her. Just beautiful, heartfelt performance. LOVE IT!!

[@erinmuetz8771]

Outstanding!

[@yatespeare5230]

Smartest breed in the world

[@nurhidayatikhsan7363]

😘❤❤😍

[@lindickison3055]

Wow!😊

[@SumitaJamatia-sc5ye]

💯💯💯👍👍👍♥️

[@mike_oe]

I would love to see Tess IRL, will you be participating in European Dog Show in Herning later this month? Thanks!

[@desstesss]

Hi! Unfortunately we won't be there, as Tess is retired from competitions now due to her ageing. Crufts was our final one :)

[@mike_oe]

@@desstesss Thanks for the quick reply!! Darn, I would really have liked to see her. She (and you) inspired me to get my current dog, Bingo, a 50/50 Border/Lab mix (I didn't have the nerve for 100% BC). He is a fantastic dog and I love him to bits. Thanks for the inspiration and give Tess a small treat from Bingo and me! Happy retirement to Tess and all the best! Bingo vs "talking buttons" :kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHWzhYWopdCChc0

[@desstesss]

​@mike o Aww that is wonderful to hear! And thank you 😊

[@vanillaghetto]

@@desstesss Did she *want* to retire?

[@joannasunday]

Does that dog have a speaker collar on? Just wondering. Thanks! Beautiful performance!

[@desstesss]

No haha, I just speak to her and she hears what I'm saying. The music isn't so loud when you're in the ring. Thank you!

[@joannasunday]

@@desstesss thank you! I thought i saw something around your dog's neck so i wondered if he/she had a hearing loss. Anyway i loved the performance! Just beautiful! Thanks for answering!

[@juliecrowe5252]

Smart dog, but I'm not really sure this is what what dogs want to do ?

[@desstesss]

It depends on the (kind of) dog, but most dogs actually love this. This is a sport that is being trained in a positive way, using lots of rewards (treats or playing with toys, whatever the dog likes better) which is something most dogs like. But to be able to perform a whole routine like this without rewards, the dog must love to do this in general. Tess is a border collie, a working breed that loves to keep busy and gets bored easily. They are very smart dogs that love to think. This also means that when Tess doesn't want to do something, she will not do it. She could have easily walked away, when she sniffed the floor she could have decided to keep sniffing and not to come to me, she could have decided to do her own thing, but no, instead she did everything while wagging her tail non-stop. Even when we're not training, she'll beg people (me or random other people) for tricks to do as she loves the attention she gets from it (she has a bit of an "all eyes on me please" personality). Finally, I'd never force her to do something she doesn't want. The reason I like this sport is because it is something you do and can enjoy together, I love my dogs and want them to be happy and live the best life possible.

[@juliecrowe5252]

@desstesss I only said I wasn't sure ? Mine would rather be trekking through forests ? If you're sure she enjoys it, that's great she's an extremely talented dog. In fact, she's an amazing dog .