CHAMPION dog trainer Ella Anderson is hoping to continue her winning streak when she heads from Sheffield to this year’s Crufts show.
The 19-year-old, from Worrall, won in the aged 17 to 24 category for handling at last year’s event with her whippet dog, Wilf.
Ella was previously in the semi-final for her age group in 2011 and 2010, both with Wilf.
This time at the event, which begins tomorrow, she is competing with Khandi, a three-year-old Akita owned by Faryn Fowes, of Retford.
Ella, who currently works at a riding stables and hopes to start a sports coaching degree at Sheffield Hallam University in September, said: “This is my fourth time at Crufts.
“The first three years were with Wilf, but he is now seven and in retirement.
“I’ll be one of 18 handlers in the competition which is about getting the best out of your dog.
“You are assessed on how well you present them and the shapes and patterns you make with them.”
Ella revealed a lot of hard work and preparation has taken place in advance of heading to Crufts, the world’s largest dog show.
“I’ve been practising with Khandi since October to make sure we are ready,” she said.
Kennel Club entry figures for this year’s Crufts reveal more than 25,000 dogs will be making their way to the NEC in Birmingham for the show between tomorrow and Sunday.
In total 20,566 dogs have been entered into breed judging, gamekeepers’ classes and the obedience championships, including a record number of dogs from overseas.
In addition, thousands more dogs will take part in agility, heelwork to music, flyball and a number of other competitions and displays.
Crufts 2013 has attracted more than 2,000 dogs from overseas for the first time.
A total of 2,131 dogs from 41 different countries will take part at the show, including dogs from Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, none of which have previously been represented.
n Coverage of Crufts is being shown on Channel 4, More 4 and on the Crufts YouTube channel on the internet.
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