FOUR-legged friends are preparing to enter the world's greatest dog show.

Dozens of competitors from across Cumbria are giving their prized pets the final once-over ahead of next month's Crufts show.

The show will see thousands of dogs and competitors try to win the coveted ‘Best in Show’ prize and be named Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year.

Competitors include Helen Lister, from Windermere, who is bringing more than forty years of competitive experience with her. Helen is entering Italian Greyhounds Florence and Tiffany.

“All you can do is produce the best you can," she said.

“If you don’t enjoy it you might as well go home."

Sandy Hall, from Kendal, is taking her four-year-old Ibizan hound and multi-champion Twinkle and newcomer Sparkle, who is just 11 months.

Sandy said: “They will do what they are bred to do."

Sarah Way, from Coniston, will be entering her two Sussex Spaniels; Horace, aged seven, and Sydney, aged two.

“They compete regularly," she said. "Most weekends they compete.

“It all depends on who turns up, what the judge thinks on the day and how my dogs behave."

Jane and Tom Graham, from Askam-in-Furness, are both competitors and judges with more than forty years’ experience.

This year they will be entering Sussex spaniel Rodney, who is 20 months, and three Welsh Spring Spaniels; Lenny, five, Marcus, three, and Oliver, one.

“They know what they are doing," she said. "They do smaller shows to keep them on their toes. We do shows and judge for many years. It’s quiet a lifestyle”.

The event takes place from March 5-8 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.