Pampered pooches are ready to fly the flag for East Renfrewshire at the world’s greatest dog show this week.

Among those leading the way at Crufts will be Maya and Fergus – two labradors owned by Barrhead man Bob Lennox.

He has been attending the annual event for around two decades and is relishing the chance to take part again this year.

Maya, whose pedigree name is Wilenmory Collabro, is no stranger to awards but two-year-old Fergus, also known as Wilenmory Old Spice, is a relative novice.

Bob told the Barrhead News: “Most dog shows are quite exciting but Crufts is even more so.

“It’s quite prestigious to be on ‘the green carpet’ with your dogs.”

Also making the 296-mile trip to Birmingham for the show is Barrhead woman Alison Gibson, who will be accompanied by Nova and Akira – a pair of Japanese Spitz.

Alison has been a regular at Crufts since 2014, only missing out one year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and has enjoyed previous success there.

In 2019, her dog Kai bagged Best of Breed and, a year later, was named Best Veteran in Breed.

Nova and Akira are Kai’s son and daughter, with Alison hoping they can follow in his paw prints.

When asked what makes Crufts so special for dog owners, she told the Barrhead News: “It’s the socialising. It’s also just being able to take part in the biggest dog show in the world.

“I’m hoping for a win, to win my class, and then it’s a bonus if you get any further down the line.”

Organised and hosted by The Kennel Club, Crufts is being held at the NEC in Birmingham, starting tomorrow and continuing until Sunday.

More than 20,000 dogs from across the globe will compete for a number of prizes, including the coveted title of Best in Show, which last year went to Baxer – a flat-coated retriever owned by Patrick Oware, from Oslo, in Norway.

Barrhead News: Best in Show winner Baxer with Patrick OwareBest in Show winner Baxer with Patrick Oware (Image: Sourced)

Other prizes up for grabs include Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year and The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award.

A spokesperson for The Kennel Club said: “Visitors can also meet more than 200 different breeds at the Discover Dogs booths and learn more about what makes each of these dogs unique.”

For more information, visit https://crufts.org.uk.