A Finnish Dame living in Trowbridge enjoyed success with one of her top dogs at this year’s Crufts.

Angela Thompson and her husband David, from Hilperton Road, Trowbridge, were celebrating after their three-year-old called Toveri Pella won best bitch in the Finnish Spitz breed - beating 26 other bitches in the class.

Mrs Thompson received the white rose of Finland in 2003, which is the equivalent of being a Dame in the UK, for her work with the breed.

Mrs Thompson, who has been breeding the old hunting dogs for 38 years, said: “I’m very proud of her. She’s a good a great little thing.

“It’s a very long day at Crufts for a dog and we weren’t in the ring until late afternoon, so she was really patient.

“Finnish Spitzs are quite an independent breed of dog which is what appealed to me because they will come in and out and do there own thing. In that respect they are similar to a cat.

“They are also very healthy dogs. I visited the vets for the first time since we moved to Trowbridge this week.”

Toveri Pella was runner-up last time around.

Katrina Hathaway, from Kings Gardens, Hilperton, managed to get three of her Golden Retrievers qualified for this year’s event, but ended up only taking one after her three-year-old bitch Kali gave birth to nine puppies on February 10 and Kali’s brother Byron, three, lost most of his coat the day before the show.

But Kali’s son Chino, who is 17-months-old, did compete in the special junior class.

Ms Hathaway said: “By the time I bathed Byron his coat just went and it’s pointless taking them when their coat has gone. But it was a really good day and it was very busy around the Golden Retriever ring - you couldn’t move.

“I shall definitely be back next year.”