GWENT dogs picked up prizes after impressing judges at Crufts dog show over the weekend.

More than 100 dogs from Gwent were entered in the international competition which was held at Birmingham NEC over three days.

Rhodesian ridgeback Sabo. who was bred at the Dog Spa in Pontllanfraith. Blackwood, won first place in the junior class on Saturday.

The 17-month-old dog was the pup of a prize-winning ridgeback in Europe and his Belgian half-brother Hot Topic won best of breed at this year's dog show.

Norah Raymond, owner and director of the spa, has been going to Crufts for around 20 years and has eight dogs who have qualified. She said: "It was a very happy and successful day - after he was given the prize he munched his rosette up!"

A pair of mini smooth-haired daschund brothers from Troedrhiwgwair, Tredegar, also came first in their classes.

Ben won best junior class while Billy came first in the special yearling class.

The 15-month-old pair will be competing in the Scottish national sheepdog trials next month.

Owner Rhian Williams, 37, who has been coming to Crufts for seven years, said: "It was a brilliant day."

Jayne Barrett-Williams' two-year-old pharaoh hound, Rafa, won first place in the postgraduate dogs class.

Mrs Williams, 47, from Varteg, Pontypool, said: "We had a fantastic day. He came second place last year." She said they would be entering Rafa into Crufts again next year.

Sally Parr, from Abergavenny, had success when her four-year-old Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, Milo, came fourth out of 29 in the gamekeepers class, but he was first in his breed.

Mrs Parr said: "This is a very prestigious honour. He won in the gamekeepers last year, but it is still very good to get selected at all."

If your dog won its category at Crufts over the week-end, contact the newsdesk on 01633 777226.

'Over the moon' with showgirl Lola

OTHER elated owners of prize-winning dogs Included Lynda Cooper, 59, from Pontypool, who said she was delighted when her two-year-old English pointer Lola was placed fourth in the mid limit bitch class and second in the good citizen bitch class.

Lola, whose show name is Kanix Buttons of Trosnant, competed before expert Crufts Judge Frank Kane. Miss Cooper said: "I was over the moon. To be placed at all with Frank Kane judging was brilliant. I'm thrilled."

Williams Hawkins and Helen Jones, from Coed Eva, Cwmbran, took their Siberian husky Chanah to the competition for the first time, and came away first prize in the puppy class, best puppy bitch and best puppy in breed.

Mr Hawkins said: To got anywhere is fantastic, and she's qualified for next year now, so we'll be going again."