Dogs lap up limelight at Crufts 2010

Dog owners from across the region have been competing at Crufts, which is now in full swing at the NEC.

More than 150,000 people and 26,000 dogs are expected to attend the event, which runs until Sunday.

Highways Agency staff said the traffic was not as bad as expected as the show got under way yesterday, with motorists held up by delays of up to 10 minutes.

There are hundreds of exhibitors at the prestige show, selling everything from luminous dog jackets to moisturising poodle shampoo.

Ian Walker, from Wednesfield, Wolverhampton took along his Doberman Luther, who won the first heat in his age group yesterday. The playful dog, who is two years old, was joined by his sister Trinity and her owner Yvonne Cox.

Ian, an engineer, from Victoria Road, said: "Luther is a real character, Yvonne has to be the one to show him because he gets too excitable if I do it.

"He is a bit more playful than some of the other dogs, he doesn't always behave himself.

"But he's lovely, he is definitely worth the effort."

To get him into shape Luther is fed two meals a day of tripe and chicken, as well as a cod liver oil supplement every morning to keep his coat glossy.

Ian, aged 39, added: "I have to file his nails as well, and trim his whiskers. It's a lot of work."

Yvonne, aged 42, from Ramillies Crescent, Great Wyrley, breeds Dobermans and showed Luther who won his heat and a chance to compete in the next round.

She also won a third place in the first heat for Trinity. She wore a bum bag full of cheese pieces which she used to hold the dogs' attention.

"Luther is an absolutely lovely dog and he loves everyone, he just want to play which makes him difficult to keep under control," said Yvonne.

Also taking part yesterday was Sheelagh Bransby, from Eccleshall near Stafford, with her Polish lowland sheepdog Logan. It is her second year at Crufts. She said: "Logan takes a lot of looking after, I spend an hour brushing him every day.

"The judges in his category are looking for a coarse thick clean coat and he certainly has that."

She added: "Logan is very stubborn, he thinks he's king of the house."