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Girl, three, one of youngest ever Crufts qualifiers

Nelli Bird
BBC News
Viking Photography York A young girl in a pink and white cardigan and skirt is smiling as she leads a white Miniature Schnauzer on a lead around on the grass. Spectators on chairs can be seen in the background.Viking Photography York
Caitlyn and Zeeva, seen here at last month's Three Counties Championship Show in Malvern, get lots of support every time they compete

A three-year-old girl is celebrating after qualifying with her Miniature Schnauzer for next year's Crufts dog show.

Caitlyn, who said she loved "winning" and "getting rosettes" with her eight year-old dog Zeeva, will be one of the show's youngest ever competitors.

The pair from Groesffordd near Brecon, Powys, qualified after being placed in the Three Counties Championship Show last month.

Caitlyn's mum Lydia Mellor said she was "so proud", adding: "It's amazing."

"She is so confident generally and she works so well with the dogs. She loves the dogs," Lydia added.

Caitlyn went to her first dog show at eight weeks old and by the age of two wanted to go into the ring with her mum, who has been showing dogs since she was 10.

Zeeva is one of four white Miniature Schnauzers the family own and show and sleeps on the three-year-old's bed - an arrangement both seem to enjoy although Caitlyn says Zeeva does snore sometimes.

Viking Photography York A young girl in a white and pink cardigan and skirt is standing on a pink portable step next to a table on which is a white dog. The girl is holding the dog's tail and there are spectators in the background.Viking Photography York
Caitlyn needs a step to show Zeeva to the judges but she still can't quite see over her dog

By three, Caitlyn was happy to show Zeeva in the ring alone which has culminated in them now qualifying for next year's Crufts - the biggest dog show of its kind in the world, according to the organisers.

"I like running around with her," said Caitlyn as she practiced leading Zeeva in a triangle shape on the grass near her house.

"She is already an incredibly good sport," said Lydia.

"She will shake hands with the judges, she shakes hands with the winners, she always congratulates everyone.

"I am massively proud of the sportsmanship she is showing at this age."

Lydia Mellor Caitlyn, who has a blonde bob, dressed in a blue top and jeans is holding a white Miniature Schnauzer on a lead in a sports hall. She has a badge with the number 104 pinned to her arm.Lydia Mellor
Caitlyn started taking part in dog shows when she was two with another of the family's Miniature Schnauzer's called Huzzah.

Lydia hopes Caitlyn's success will inspire other youngsters to get involved.

"It's going to keep our sport alive," she said.

"We knew it's often seen as a dog beauty pageant - but that's not the way the show world works. They are our pets, they are spoilt rotten, they want for nothing - we have a great day out."

Caitlyn in a pink and white striped dress is sat cuddling a woman with long hair who is wearing a black top with coloured hearts on it. The woman has her other hand around a white dog. Grass and trees can be seen behind them.
Caitlyn and her mum Lydia share a love of dogs

Next year's Crufts will take place in March in Birmingham.

Chief canine officer at The Kennel Club Helen Kerfoot said: "We are delighted to see a young competitor doing so well, having qualified for Crufts already – the result of a lot of hard work and dedication.

"Taking part in Crufts is a real achievement but it's also something that's accessible to all."