WITH Crufts Dog Show weekend almost here there are many reasons for locals to celebrate as entrants from Devon and Cornwall prepare for the event.

From this Thursday to Sunday, entrants from Holsworthy, Launceston and Bude will be entering their pets in a variety of categories.

Among them will be Layla, a rehomed Bernese Mountain Dog. Layla or ‘Tamarbern Dusky Maiden’ is the best friend and companion of Mrs Christine Woods from Sutcombe. Layla was bred at Bere Alston and was re-homed by Christine at the age of six months after she had been returned to the breeders by her previous owner. They have been together ever since and Christine and Layla have entered many competitions.

As a result of winning the ‘Limit Bitch’ category at the South Wales Kennel Association Championship Show, as well as a first in the ‘Good Citizen Bitch’ group at the same show, Layla qualified for Crufts for life.

Christine said: “I am so proud of all her achievements as she was bred locally and look forward to representing the West Country again at this prestigous event. Layla is my best friend and constant companion.”

Also attending Crufts this year will be one of the younger entrants from the region, eight-year-old Will Bacchus from Week St Mary, who will be showing his working cocker spaniel, Rudi.

After Will attended his first ever dog grooming lesson he and Rudi entered the qualifying competition and won through to Crufts. Will had previously attending a Young Kennel Club Camp in Gloucestershire where he worked with Rudi in disciplines such as agility, obedience, fly ball and grooming.

They will soon be travelling to compete in the Young Kennel Club’s Medium Agility category at Crufts.

There will be stiff competition for Christine and Layla and Will and Rudi as they compete alongside other dog owners from Cornwall and Devon.

Other entrants include, from Launceston: Mr A M Cadden and Mrs H Cadden, Dalmation; Mrs D M Gregory, Weimaraner; V G L Hill, Scottish Terrier; Mrs S Blackford, Spaniel (Welsh Springer); Mrs R Luckman and Mr J Luckman, Japanese Spitz.

Entrants from the Holsworthy area, along with Mrs C D Wood and Layla, are: Mrs S M Whitehead, Basset Fauve De Bretagne; Mr E Smith and Mrs A Smith, Leonberger; Ms K Gregory, Bradworthy, Irish Wolfhound; Miss M L Clark, Bichon Frise and Ibizan Hound; Miss S Clark, Cesky Terrier.

Entrants from Bude are: Mrs M Osborne and Mrs S Stanbury, Papillon; Mrs M Osborne, Papillon; Mrs J Pike and Miss A Pike, Samoyed, Japanese Akita Inu, Lowchen (Little Lion Dog) and Pomeranian; Mr W Carr and Mrs K Carr, Italian Greyhound; Ms K A Sinclair, Whippet; Mr R M Hooper and Mrs R Hooper, Whippet; Mr R M Hooper, Whippet.

In the Young Kennel Club Stakes, along with Will Bacchus, are: Miss S Clark, Holsworthy, Cesky Terrier; Miss M L Clark, Holsworthy, Bichon Frise; Mrs J Pike and Miss A Pike, Bude, Samoyed, Japanese Akita Inu, Lowchen (Little Lion Dog) and Pomeranian.

To find out what classes are on which days visit www.crufts.org.uk