MEET some of four-legged friends from across The Westmorland Gazette patch preparing to compete in the world's most famous dog show.

Thousands of pooches and their owners will be heading to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Birmingham for Crufts 2024, which will take place between March 7 and 10.

The show features a wide range of dog competitions, displaying their dogs' skills and abilities to adoring crowds.

Competing this year is Jill Fearnhead, from Kendal, with her three Airedale Terriers. She is no stranger to Crufts as she has been entering since 2018.

The Westmorland Gazette: Jill and her Airedale Terrier.Jill and her Airedale Terrier. (Image: Submitted)Jill expressed her excitement about the competition despite the nervousness she says she will get when she arrives at NEC. 

"We always get placed in the top three," said Jill.

"I'd love to win this year. We all do."

Carrie Newton, from Burton in Kendal, is also entering the competition with her Dalmatians.

The Westmorland Gazette: Carrie's Dalmatians entering the competition.Carrie's Dalmatians entering the competition. (Image: Submitted)She has been entering the dog's show for the past 15 years. This time she is taking two of her dogs, one being 12 months old and the other nine months old.

"We are just hoping for a place because there is an entry of over 250 Dalmatians so the classes have 30 in them, so if we get a place, we will really be made up," said Carrie.

Competitors will also include Jo Malin, who lives in Carnforth, and her Hungarian Vizsla Copper. This will be his second time participating in the breeders class. 

The Westmorland Gazette: Hungarian Vizsla, Copper.Hungarian Vizsla, Copper. (Image: Submitted)Last year, in Copper's first-ever time taking part in the event, he won the minor puppy class which made him qualify for Crufts 2024.

Jo said she doesn't think she will win anything this year but explained there is always hope of coming home with a prize.

"To get a place at a class in Crufts or to be shortlisted is massive," said Jo.

"You can only go, hope and do your best."

Karola Inman passed the baton to her daughter Patricia Inman, who will be competing for the first time. Due to her mother being unable to attend, Patricia will be taking their Curly Coated Retriever called Rae.

The Westmorland Gazette: Curly Coated Retriever, Rae.Curly Coated Retriever, Rae. (Image: Submitted)Karola, who lives in Ambleside, said her daughter is looking forward to taking part in the event.

"Our Curly Coated is a rare breed - there are only 300 in the country. She has already won so many prizes because she is absolutely stunning," said Karola.

Rachel Wright, from Carnforth, will be entering her Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Pringle and her Labrador Retriever Talisker.

The Westmorland Gazette: Rachel with ith Pringle and Talisker last year at Crufts.Rachel with ith Pringle and Talisker last year at Crufts. (Image: Submitted)

"Pringle is a show champion. It took him a few years to get him up to show champion, but I loved every minute of it - he has been a brilliant dog," said Rachel.

"He is nine now, he is getting old, so for me, it is probably going to be Pringle's last year competing in the show ring. But I'll still keep going."

She first went to Crufts in 1999 and competed for the first time in 2006 with her other dog Myrtle, who qualified for Crufts for life. Myrtle is now 17 and a half years old and retired from the shows six years ago.