ALMOST 10,000 preened and pampered pedigree pets descended on the North-East at the weekend for the country's second largest dog show.

All shapes and sizes of dog, from Dobermanns to dachshunds, competed for the honours in a host of categories at the Darlington Championship Dog Show challenging for a place at Crufts, the world's premier dog show, next year.

This year's top dog took the best in show trophy out of the region.

Dachida's Master Angel, a chihuahua from Stockport, Greater Manchester, owned by Amy Davis, was judged to be best overall animal.

Last year, Jean Taylor, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, clinched the top prize with her Welsh springer spaniel.

Dogs, owners and judges came from all over the world, including Australia and New Zealand, to be involved in the show.

Champion pedigree animals which had won contests in America and the Netherlands were competing.

Judging categories, included hounds, working dogs, terriers, gundogs, toy breeds, utility dogs and pastoral dogs. Champion dogs in each category were reassessed by the judges to decide the overall winner.

Organisers estimated that about 100,000 people had visited the dog show, which was staged in Darlington's South Park, over the three days.

Hot weather meant the pedigree dogs had to be kept out of the sun and cool in the marquees provided on the showground.

Hundreds of trade stands, selling everything from dog grooming tables, complete with hairdryers and nail clippers, to specialist canine food, provided side attractions for dog lovers.

Show society chairman, Maureen Hennis, said: "It has been a very busy, very successful show this year. With three days of glorious weather, it just could not have been better.

"We have seen some absolutely superb dogs and I think the standard is excellent this year - these dogs really are the creme de la creme.

"So many people have congratulated us on bringing such an enormous event to Darlington and making it such a success.

"This show has brought so many people into the town. We have exhibitors who have travelled up and stayed all three days because they wanted to have a look around the area while they were here.

"Some of the breeds we have seen this year, such as the unusual coton de tulear, have been marvellous."

RESULTS:

Overall best in show

Mrs CA Davies, chihuahua (smooth-coated).

Reserve: Mr and Mrs Jackson, spaniel (English springer).

Hounds

Best: Mrs and Mrs C Amoo, Irish wolfhound dog.

Reserve: Mrs EA MacDonald, saluki dog.

Third: Mrs PS Oliver, whippet bitch.

Fourth: Mrs A Randall, deerhound dog.

Gundogs

Best: Mr and Mrs Jackson, spaniel (English springer) bitch.

Reserve: Mr D R Williams, Mrs A and Craig, retriever (labrador) bitch.

Third: Mrs S Whittingham, Italian spinone, bitch.

Fourth: Mrs B and Miss S Pinkerton, German wire-haired pointer bitch.

Terriers

Best: Mrs C Pettersson, Scottish terrier dog.

Reserve: Mr K and Mrs M Derry, dandie dinmont terrier dog.

Third: Miss M and Mrs A Burns, West Highland white terrier dog.

Fourth: Mr W and Mrs J Blacker, Staffordshire bull terrier, dog.

Working

Best: Mrs S Ellis, Alaskan malamute dog.

Reserve: Mr H and Mrs J Parker, Newfoundland dog.

Third: Mr S Waldie, dobermann bitch.

Fourth: Mr S and Mrs S Nagrecha, Mr T and Mrs AM Poole, St Bernard dog.

Utility

Best: Miss M Harwood, poodle (miniature) dog.

Reserve: Mrs J Franks, shih tzu bitch.

Third: Mr P Newman and Mr B Day, miniature schnauzer bitch.

Fourth: Mrs E Dunhill, Japanese shiba inu bitch.

Toy

Best: Mrs CA Davies, chihuahua (smooth coat) dog.

Reserve: Mr K and Mrs S Hornby, chihuahua (long-coated) bitch.

Third: Miss T Dawson, bichon frise bitch.

Fourth: Mr OA Sameja, Yorkshire terrier bitch.

Pastoral

Best: Miss D Enticott, samoyed dog.

Reserve: Mr K and Mrs VJ Wild, Australian cattle dog dog.

Third: Mr JS and Mrs KV Gilliland, Swedish vallhund bitch.

Fourth: Mrs KE Hateley, Shetland sheepdog bitch.

Puppy section

Best: Mr and Mrs JB Abbishaw, Italian spinone

Reserve: Messrs Gourley and Leonard, terrier (English toy).