Newport girl aiming to make her pooches top dogs at Crufts

Her mum, Jayne Davies, 41, and dad, Stuart, 36, from Malpas, Newport, bought their pet, Henlley, a bulldog, and were informed that his father had done well at Crufts.

But with no dog-showing experience, they decided to take him to the Newport Canine Society in Bassaleg to ask how to get involved.

Henlley’s first show was at the Cardiff Agricultural Show when he was just six months old, where he won the puppy class and best utility puppy.

From there his career took off, and the Newport couple started entering open shows, and Henlley, whose show name is The Miz at Baalzebul, was winning. He then moved to champion level.

He won his class at the British Utility Champions Show when he was one and also won this year at the same show.

Mrs Davies said: “We have lots of rosettes and trophies all around the house that he has won.

“Henlley qualified for Crufts last year but I entered him into the incorrect class, junior instead of puppy, and he did not get placed.”

Straight after Crufts they mated him with their other dog, and on May 16 she gave birth to eight puppies.

Two died and the couple decided to keep three puppies for themselves.

Inspired by her parents’ enthusiasm, Lily-Rose started junior handling with Henlley and last year qualified to attend Richmond, a semi-finals of junior handling.

When the puppies came of age to show at six months she decided that she wanted to show her own puppy.

The first show she went in was champion level and she was highly commended, then at the next show she came fourth and then third.

Two weeks ago the family went to the Bulldog Incorporated Championship in Luton. Competing against 25 puppies in the ring, Lily- Rose came first.

She will now go on to compete at Crufts 2014 with her puppy, Baalzebul Theia The Titan.

Henlley has now got his junior warrant plus his stud book number, which means he is Crufts qualified for life.