Pets walk away with wins

Dog owners and handlers from Shropshire were celebrating after their pooches emerged with honours in the early stages of Crufts 2008.

Two standard poodles are prepared for judging Dog owners and handlers from Shropshire were celebrating after their pooches emerged with honours in the early stages of Crufts 2008.

More than 200 owners and handlers from Shropshire and Mid Wales are taking part in the greatest dog show on earth at the NEC in Birmingham.

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Janice Bannister, from Telford, was jumping for joy after her pooch Tango scooped best utility dog at the show.

She also won first place in the limit dog category for her Japanese Shiba Inu dog Janeryls Kingpin, the same breed as Tango.

Mrs Bannister said she was delighted with her success and very proud.

Also among the winners from the first day of the event was Niki Allison, from Whixall, who was delighted with her first place in the junior dog German Spitz Klein class for her pooch Oberitz Renegade, aka Rene.

Niki said: "I'm really pleased with the way it went and it was a great day but I am hoping to do even better tomorrow with my Finnish Lapphunds."

Miss SJ Stokes, of Bridgnorth, scored a much deserved second place with her dog whose kennel name is Letishe Ishi Ban at Tundrasteppe in the Japanese Spitz dog class.

And her Japanese Spitz Alaskaza Shiroi Kishi at Tundrasteppe secured third place on the podium in the open dog class for the breed. The dog went on to win the good citizen dog in its class.

There were also double celebrations during the early stages of the competition for Mrs L Holmes, of Telford.

Her dog Oberitz Prinz Charming was awarded second place in the junior German Spitz Klein class for dogs.

And her bitch Holbain Shimmer scored a third on the podium in the yearling class for the same breed.

Mr P Holmes, from Telford, meanwhile, was celebrating after his pooch Holbain Star A Twinkling scored a respectable third spot in the veteran bitch category for German Spitz Klein.

Mr and Mrs J&J McGee, from Oswestry, walked out with a third place rosette with their dog Jayanamee Friday's Child in the puppy class for the Chinese crested section.

Mrs Pauline Furber, of Tern Hill, won first place open dog in the German Spitz class with Oberitz Cozmopolitan at Holbain, while Holbain Nobody's Fool, belonging to Mrs Furber, scored a fourth in the puppy bitch class of the German Spitz Kleins.

Kemberton dog owners Mrs FB Turner and Mrs RH Henley's Italian greyhound CH Tamiskene Witchcraft At Turigner won overall best in breed.

And Mr and Mrs Mole of Shifnal's dog Molead Moonbeam won a dog challenge certificate.

Shifnal Tibetan terrier Verony Total Blackout won first place in the limit dog for the breed with owners Mr and Mrs A Green, while Cavalier King Charles spaniel Toshini Martino won first place yearling dog with owners Mrs G Barnard, of Shrewsbury.

Newport dog enthusiast Mrs PA Tempest's bitch Kyipo's Polly Pocket won first place special puppy in the Tibetan terrier class.

Sylvia Pope, of Market Drayton, was delighted with her second place yearling dog Silver Phantom in the Pomeranian category.

Casgail City Slicker entered by Mrs SJ Cooke, of Telford, won a third in the special puppy class for chihuahua.

Pauline Furber, of Tern Hill, won first place in the German Spitz category