Top dogs in East Lancashire battle for Crufts title (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Top dogs in East Lancashire battle for Crufts title
7:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News
By Jessica Cree, Education reporter
Lorraine Adcroft, from Darwen with bullmastiffs Emily and Holly
PAMPERED pooches and their well-trained owners are making their way to the annual Crufts competition.
Hundreds of the finest examples from across East Lancashire have entered this year’s contest, which started yesterday at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
Among those hoping to come out as top dog is Lorraine Aldcroft and her pet bulmastiffs Emily and Holly.
Mrs Aldcroft, who lives in Darwen, said she hoped showing the breed at the world-renowned Kennel Club organised event would promote how gentle the dogs could be.
She said: “It is our day and I am really looking forward to it.
“We do all the shows and when you qualify for Crufts, it is the big finale.
“I like the prestige of it and meeting the general public.
“They get to see the breed close up.
“You read things about bulmastiffs, but I don’t think they have got a bad reputation, what has got a bad reputation is the word bull.
“But there is no aggression, they are too lazy.”
Crufts is one of the largest dog events in the world and celebrates all the aspects dogs play in our day-to-day lives. It finishes on Sunday.
Also hoping to make an impact are Jean and John Connolly with their dalmatian Alice.
This is the second time Alice will be showed at Crufts. Last year she came second in her class.
Mrs Connolly, who lives in Pennine Crescent, Brierfield, said: “Alice is gorgeous.
“She is so lovely and we are really looking forward to going down to Birmingham.
“To win the whole thing would be a bit ambitious, but if we could get something, it would be a good day.
“The fact that Alice has qualified means she has done us proud already.”
