Ebonory Blue Lavender, known as Lavender, came second out of 18 entries in the Great Dane Yearling Bitch section. Lavender, a blue Great Dane, has won Best Puppy and Best Open Blue at previous shows.

Owner Jasmine Jones, 18, said: "We turned up at Crufts with an open mind because the standards were high and the classes were big, but to my surprise she placed Lavender second in Yearling. I couldn't believe it, I was over the moon!"

"When I came out of the ring everybody was congratulating me on how well she had done," she added.

Jasmine is studying animal care at Walford College and is also undertaking a night course in grooming. She first entered a dog at Crufts when she was 15 – a Black Great Dane which came fifth.

Miss Jones said: "Now I will be concentrating on my new puppy which I bred from Willow. She is eight-month-old Harlequin and is already winning in the ring and I will hopefully get her qualified for Crufts next year.

"I have enjoyed showing my dogs and would encourage people to join in the fun," she added.

Crufts was recognised this year by the Guiness Book of World Records as the world's largest dog show.

The show took place at NEC in Birmingham from Thursday, March 6, to Sunday, March 9.

Nearly 6,000 dogs were entered into the competition with around 160,000 visitors to the NEC over the four day event.
Picture: Kate Elliott (KE103A)