THE country's second largest dog show, which is held in the North-East, attracted more competitors than ever at the weekend.

Darlington Championship Dog Show featured 9,000 dogs over three days, with some arriving from Europe to compete for places at Crufts, the world's premier dog show, next year.

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

Champion dogs from each category were then re-assessed 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.

Mr Allen said the dog was bred by Bill Browne Cole, from Bristol, and the title was her third best in show in a row, having taken trophies at both Richmond, in Surrey, and Birmingham.

"I'm over the moon with her. I'm ecstatic," said Mr Allen, from Stafford.

"All 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."

The prize for best puppy in show went to David Guy, from Seaham, County Durham, for Donzeata Royal Debonaire, a 12-month-old Griffon Bruxellois, also known as Molly.

Mr Guy has been breeding Griffons for 12 years, but has been involved with breeding dogs for 30 years.

He said: "She qualified for the pup of the year final in January, which is a major competition, 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 show had been a huge success.

"We have had 9,000 dogs in the show over the three days, about 100 more than last year," she said.

"It's been marvellous, absolutely wonderful, with exhibitors coming from all over Europe, thanks to the new dog passports.

"We have had some really top quality dogs this year and, thankfully, the weather has been good and everyone has enjoyed themselves."

Everyone a winner . . .

Best in Show

R Allen and R Browne Cole, Fox Terrier (wire). Reserve: M Harwood, Poodle (Miniature)

Best Puppy

D Guy, Griffon Bruxellois. Reserve: G Robertson and S Pettit, Basset Griffon Vendeen (Petit).

Hounds

Best: P S Oliver, Whippet.

Reserve: J and A Ringer, Rhodesian Ridgeback. 3rd: E A Macdonald, Saluki. 4th: S Finnett, Deerhound.

Terriers

Best: S Allen and R Browne Cole, Fox Terrier (Wire). Reserve: L A Crawley, Norwich Terrier. 3rd: W and J Blacker, Staffordshire Bull Terrier. 4th: A Thornton, Fox Terrier (Smooth).

Working

Best: S and S Nagrecha, T and A M Poole, St Bernard. Reserve: S J and M L Loades, Alaskan Malamute. 3rd: Messrs D J L & S Mair, Boxer. 4th: B Saunders, Bullmastiff.

Utility

Best: M Harwood, Poodle (Miniature). Reserve: L Newman and P Dixon, Miniature Schnauzer. 3rd: J Keates, French Bulldog. 4th: A Albert and W Brown, Shih Tzu.

Pastoral

Best: C A Edwards, Pyrenean Mountain Dog. Reserve: J Hartman-Joop and C Hartman-Loest, Bearded Collie. 3rd: J and P C Chetwynd, Australian Cattle Dog. 4th: P and A Cash, Samoyed.

Gundogs

Best: P Williams, English Setter. Reserve: Mrs A Williams, Spaniel (Irish Water). 3rd: B Pilmer, Irish Red and White Setter. 4th: W H Cannell and R Wilcox, Spaniel (American Cocker).

Toy

Best: Coad, Sewell and Kornfeld, Bichon Frise. Reserve: C A Davies, Chihuahua (Smooth). 3rd: D Guy, Griffon Bruxellois. 4th: O A Sameja' Yorkshire Terrier.