The Royal Kennel Club lists a beginner Have a Go qualifying heat for Saturday 12 December 2026 at 2.30pm at Stafford County Showground, alongside the Ladies Kennel Association (LKA) show. In December the UK is on GMT. As checked on 4 November, this is an upcoming heat, not a completed event or a result. The listing gives a useful starting point for a first trip, but it does not by itself settle admission, a particular dog's eligibility, booking availability or accessibility needs.

Separate the heat from the four-day show

The LKA show listing on Higham Press dates the wider show from 10 to 13 December at Stafford Showground, Weston Road, Stafford ST18 0BD. The venue's event diary gives the same show dates and venue. Those pages support the place and the wider event window; the Royal Kennel Club page supplies the particular Saturday heat and its advertised time. Save both links so a change in one can be checked against the other before setting off.

Higham Press currently gives 10 November at 12 noon as the show entry closing date and displays an online entry link. That is not proof that the separate Have a Go heat uses the same entry route or cutoff. A newcomer should check the Royal Kennel Club's current Have a Go instructions and the organiser's latest information for the specific activity before paying for travel or assuming a place has been reserved. The pages checked here do not establish a current heat booking, fee, spectator ticket, dog admission condition or spare capacity.

Ask the questions your journey depends on

Check the exact heat time and meeting point again shortly before departure. If travelling with a dog, confirm the activity's eligibility, paperwork and arrival requirements through its official organiser route; a general show entry form cannot answer every beginner-heat question. If you need step-free access, parking close to an entrance, a quiet waiting area or another adjustment, use the venue or organiser's published enquiry channel to ask about the actual arrangement. An event listing alone does not verify these facilities for this session.

Allow for the dog's ordinary needs as well as the timetable: a calm break and a familiar routine may make the trip more manageable. This is planning advice, not a claim that a particular dog is ready for a show ring. Our first grooming appointment guide helps owners think through a separate grooming visit; no GroomNear listing is an endorsement of a show's services.

Check again before sharing a result

The published pages announce an upcoming activity. They do not name a winner. Our guide to previews, timetables and results explains how to keep those stages apart, while the Scottish show diary note illustrates why two calendars may require an organiser check. For this Stafford heat, rely on the Royal Kennel Club's current event instructions for the session and the LKA or venue's current information for the wider show. Recheck both if travel plans depend on them.

Sources checked 4 November 2026: the Royal Kennel Club Have a Go listing, the LKA listing served by Higham Press and Stafford County Showground's event diary. This is original GroomNear analysis of three public listings, illustrated with an original fictional scene. It is not a photograph of the LKA show, an endorsement, a booking service or a report of attendance. Corrections: [email protected].