"I've always really liked dogs and I wanted to do something more than have them at home," is the reason Hannah Shadbolt gave for entering competitions with her male Phalène, a type of Papillon, Shadow. "I wanted to get him out and do something with him and have fun," she continued.

In the upcoming All-Breed International Championship Dog Shows and the Dog Training Club of Bermuda (DTC) Agility trials to be held at Somersfield Academy on October 23 and 24, Hannah will be one of the youngest humans competing in conformation shows with Micky, a three-year-old Shiba Inu, and will be the youngest handler competing in the DTC agility trials with her dog, five-year-old Shadow.

Shadow, on formal occasions known as 'In the Shadows' is the ancient variety of dog known as 'Papillon' or Continental toy spaniel. While Papillons have upright, perky ears fringed with long hair (hence the name papillon – French for butterfly), Phalènes (French for moth) have dropped ears.

Hannah had originally wanted a tri-coloured female Papillon, but the breeder in England with whom she was corresponding recommended Shadow for agility, and it was love at first sight.

"I fell in love with him when I saw him," Hannah declared, "because he's so cute."

The breed is also known for its agility, and its small size meant it would be easy for a seven-year-old to handle.

Three years later, and Hannah, now 11, and Shadow are on their way up the ladder towards champion status.

The climb began with obedience classes, held by the DTC at the Botanical Gardens. Hannah and Shadow also took Agility classes, observed a trial and really enjoyed the experience. The pair now train one and a half hours a week with a private coach, Janice Moran.

Agility is one of a number of dog sports children can compete in; some of the others are Obedience and Junior Showmanship. The Agility trial is a timed obstacle course comprising scooting through tunnels, balancing on teeters (like see-saws), climbing A frames, jumping through the hole in a tyre and weaving through poles, and other challenges. It requires teamwork, because in each trial the course is different, and the dog relies on the human to signal what to do and where to go.

The human gets a map of the course on the morning of the competition and is able to walk the course once and annotate the map. Communication is by voice, gesture and body position, and success depends on a close partnership between dog and human.

Once a team has qualified successfully (completed the obstacles in the right order and within the allotted time) three times under at least two different judges, they are awarded a title and are allowed to move on to a more challenging level. In two and a half years of competition, Hannah has earned a Performance 1 title in Jumpers and Snooker trials. Hannah is competing with adults, as she is currently the only junior Agility handler in Bermuda. Impressed by her dog-handling ability when assisting with Jane Taylor's puppy classes and in the Agility trials, Leslie Outerbridge asked Hannah to show his champion dog Micky in Conformation trials. Leslie used to own Akitas but after suffering a stroke downsized to the smallest of the Japanese breeds. Micky is a female Shiba Inu, a breed very similar in temperament to the Akita. Micky has already earned her crown with Leslie as her handler, so in the Conformation trials, it is Hannah who is being judged for her Showmanship – her ability to make her dog look the best it possibly can.

Now that Hannah has reached a certain standard, she is teaching others in turn, and is enjoying herself so much that her Mum has started competing with her own dog. Though it takes time and patience to develop a close rapport with her dog, Hannah would not have it any other way. "I love it so much," she declared. The Bermuda Kennel Club All Breed International Championship Dog Shows and DTC Agility trials will be held at Somersfield Academy on 23 and 24 October beginning at 8.30am. Admission for spectators is free.