Dogs off to compete at Crufts

The greatest dog show in the world opened today, with packs of pooches doing battle in the bid to be crowned supreme champion.

Scores of entries from Shropshire are among a total of more than 24,000 dogs entering Crufts 2007 at the NEC in Birmingham, which climaxes on Sunday.

Among the county hopefuls is Kevan Ellis, from Wellington, who is hoping his trio of whippets will emulate the success of 2004 Best in Show winner Dee Dee the whippet.

But his dogs - Toby, Amy and Dave - face stiff competition from more than 400 whippets.Two-year-old Dave, a distant descendent of Dee Dee, enters the breed's limit class after recently earning a Reserve Challenge Certificate.

Toby, three-and-a-half, has already been made up to a champion after winning three Challenge Certificates at championship shows, and won first prize in the breed's junior dog section at Crufts two years ago. This year he will compete in the open class.

And at 11 months, Amy is aiming for the top spot in the whippet puppy bitch class, having already registered two Best Puppy in Show placings at other competitions.

Mr Ellis said: "I have always loved whippets, they have a fantastic temperament, they are very elegant and clean and easy to live with."

Today is gundog day at Crufts, and Heather Rose, 17, from Hill Top, was heading to the NEC hoping for success with Shim, her German wire-haired pointer, and Floosie, a German short-haired pointer.

"They are both great dogs, they are really friendly and I'm really looking forward to the show," she said.

The event is set to be a family affair, with Heather's brother Adam and sister Hannah also entering dogs.

Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said she was impressed by the number and standard of entries from Shropshire this year.

She said: "The event provides a great opportunity for so many dog lovers.

"I wish them all every success and hope that they enjoy the experience."

By Ben Bentley