Albert and Ellen Fairall with their beagle Treblellean Nell's Masea.
A YOUNG brother and sister from Wootton stepped into the limelight at the prestigious DFS Crufts International Dog Show last week.
Ellen and Albert Fairall, aged 12 and ten, and their beagle, Treblellean Nell's Masea, took part in different age groups of the Young Kennel Club show handling competition.
In this event, the judge assesses the handler's ringcraft (skill in the show ring). Ellen had entered the showing world about two years ago, through the IW Canine Association. Albert joined last year.
Crufts, at NEC Birmingham, is the Cowes Week of the dog world, attracting 28,000 dogs over four days. Around 50 Island dogs qualified to take part.
Mum Margaret said: "It was an extremely good experience for the children and both want to continue showing dogs."
Albert added: "Dog handling is one of my favourite hobbies. My friends just think it is a normal thing to do. Crufts was very exciting and Masea enjoyed it, too, although she got a bit tired at the end of the day."
• See the Friday, March 26 County Press for our monthly All Creatures supplement which will include Island dogs at Crufts.
Reporter: suel@iwcpmail.co.uk