A Northallerton teenager will become the fourth generation of her family to show dogs when she competes at Crufts.

Seventeen-year-old Elizabeth Chandler will show at the competition in Birmingham next month alongside her sisters Catherine, 8, and Alexandra, 13.

Chandler follows a lengthy family legacy of dog-showers including mother, Angela Chandler, her grandmother, Nicola Calvert, and her late great-grandmother.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Elizabeth will become the fourth generation of her family to show her dogs.Elizabeth will become the fourth generation of her family to show her dogs. (Image: PR)

The young talent credits this tradition to her great-grandmother. She said: “My great-grandma who’s no longer with us – I never met her – she started dog showing with Great Danes and Pomeranians. 

‘‘That was then passed onto my grandma… then passed onto my mum and then to me and so it’s not only my grandma, mum and I but also my little sister. She’s also showing and she’s only eight.

‘‘So all my life I’ve been showing because I’ve always been going to the dog show, but I technically started in child-handling when I was six.’’

Chandler will be entering a mixture of dogs, including thirteen-year-old Welsh Springer Spaniel, Spin, who she describes as “absolutely full of life, loving the showing,” and two-year-old Spud. Chandler will also be showing her English Springer, Jessie.

‘‘Jessie’s only nine months old but she’ll be ten when she’s there. She’s my own dog and I’ve had some really good results with her so far so I’m excited to see how we do at Crufts.

“If a dog doesn’t like a show or really doesn’t enjoy it, it’s not for them and we’re not going to force them to do it.’’

Competing last year, Chandler and Spin were interviewed by Clare Balding. Describing the moment, she said: “That wasn’t just a special moment because I was sat being interviewed by Clare Balding, it was because I was sat there doing it with Spin.

‘‘I was four when he was born so there’s never been a time without him and the fact that I was able to share that moment with Spin and to be on TV with him was so incredibly special.

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‘‘With the dogs, they’re not just our family pets but they’re our best friends.

‘‘We can also go and achieve things and be proud of them together.”

Crufts, run by The Kennel Club, is a unique celebration of happy, healthy dogs and of the loving relationship that they enjoy with their owners. Crufts is held from 7-10 March 2024 at the NEC Birmingham. Viewers can follow all the action and highlights on Channel 4, and for further information and tickets visit: http://crufts.org.uk.