A Cumbrian dog lover is celebrating after her trusty pet was named best in breed at Crufts last week. 

Hannah Waugh, who lives in Wigton, travelled down to the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham for Crufts with her two foxhound pups, Lady Roxburgh of Liscia and Feeling Fragile on Friday at Liscia. 

The international dog show is organised and hosted by The Kennel Club, and is the largest show of its kind in the world.

News and Star: Hannah was delighted to feature in the main arenaHannah was delighted to feature in the main arena (Image: Beat Media)

But Hannah's dogs stood out from the crowd, as 18-month-old Roxburgh won best of breed, while Feeling Fragile claimed reserve best bitch.

Speaking to the News & Star, Hannah said: "This is the first year that I've taken best of breed and had the opportunity to go into the main arena, which was brilliant. It was lovely to meet other people and learn more about different breeds.

"It's the biggest dog show in the world, so to get a prize is just incredible, let alone getting through to best of breed and be in the main arena on the telly."

Hannah and her two foxhounds competed against others from across the world, including Japan and Australia. 

Judges study each individual dog in their own merit, with a breed standard for each breed, in what the healthy, fit-for-purpose animal looks like. 

And Roxburgh was deemed to the best representative for the Foxhound breed, which The Kennel Club are keen to raise awareness of, as it is currently recognised as the most vulnerable native breed.

News and Star: The foxhound is a vulnerable native breedThe foxhound is a vulnerable native breed (Image: Beat Media)

Preparation before the competition was perhaps tougher for Hannah than most at Crufts, given that she is currently seven months pregnant.

She added: "The lead up to the big day involves plenty of exercise to and well-muscled. They went off for a bath at the groomers, I'm seven months pregnant so I couldn't man-handle them into the bath myself. They were clean and ready for the show."

Both dogs were treated to a big dinner and breakfast following the excitement of the Crufts win, and Hannah hopes that she will be able to return again in 2025 to defend her title.