THE country's second largest dog show attracted more competitors than ever at the weekend.

The Darlington Championship Dog Show featured 9,000 dogs over three days, from all over Europe, challenging for a place at Crufts next year.

Judging categories included hounds, working dogs, terriers, gundogs, toy breeds, utility dogs and pastoral dogs.

Champion dogs from each category were reassessed by judges to decide the overall winner.

The winner of the best in show title this year was Travella Smart Design, a two-and-a-half-year-old wire-haired fox terrier, also known to owner, Richard Allen, as Dot.

"I'm over the moon with her," said Mr Allen, of Stafford. "I'm ecstatic. All the championship shows are big ones, there are a lot of the same dogs here, but you never know with Crufts. It's a different day and different judges."

Best puppy in show prize went to David Guy, of Seaham, east Durham, for Donzeata Royal Debonaire, a 12-month-old Griffon Bruxellois, also known as Molly.

Mr Guy, who has been breeding dogs for 30 years, said: "She qualified for the pup of the year final, which is a major competition in January and she's also qualified for the top junior in the country.

"I'm very thrilled, particularly to win here, on home ground. I'll be going to Crufts with her next year. She's following in her father's footsteps, he was the top Griffon in the UK last year."

Show society chairman, Maureen Hennis, said the event had been a huge success