Grantham dog groomer's prize pooch scoops award

A local dog groomer is thrilled after her Wheaten Terrier pooch won the top award in the breed at the World Dog Show.

Bev Hanna, of Great Gonerby, attended the prestigious dog show in Amsterdam earlier this month, which saw her champion bitch Saoirse scoop the World Winner title out of 75 other Wheaten Terriers.

Bev, who owns Gonerby Gorgeous Dog Grooming, first got involved with dog shows when she got her first Wheaton Terrier in 1995.

Since then, she has owned nine more Wheaten Terriers and has shown them all.

She said: “I have had Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers for 24 years and show them in the UK, Ireland and Europe.

“The World Dog Show is a highly prestigious event, with participants from Europe, Russia and beyond.”

Bev has attended two other World Dog Shows before, coming home with Reserve Winner, but it is the first time that one of her dogs has scooped the top award.

She added: “I am the first Wheaten exhibitor in the UK to achieve this. I am super proud.”

Despite her success, Bev, who currently has seven Wheaton Terriers at home, insists that it is not as glamorous as it might seem.

She added: “A lot of work goes into the shows including all the travel, prep work and grooming in order to get your dog to the standard required. You then have to go and present them in a ring in front of all the judges. I often go on my own so it is not easy, however I have built up some great friendships over the years and met people from all over the world.”

With a top title under her belt, Bev is keen to start looking ahead.

She added: “I feel like I have done it all now and achieved what I wanted to. It has taken up my life for 20 years - but I would never say never

again!”