A WOMAN from Ruardean Woodside is celebrating after her Rottweiler puppy achieved first in class at Crufts earlier this month.

Catherine Matthews, known as Cat, took six-month old Caleb, whose kennel name is Ausrie Rockey Top, to the competition, having only attended as a spectator before.

Her husband Rob said: “We have lived in Ruardean Woodside for almost 40 years, and Rottweilers have been the family pet for 30 of those years. Caleb is our sixth dog and Rottweilers have featured as a large part of Cat’s life since that time.

“She visited Crufts on two previous occasions as a spectator, and only ever dreamed of taking part there herself one day. 

“Cat is 59 years old and, with three grown-up children, she found she had more time on her hands, often taking the family pet to puppy training.

“In a natural progression, puppy training was followed by ring craft. Cat acquired Caleb in August last year, when he was eight-weeks-old. When he reached four months, Cat decided to participate in her first dog show at Malvern. This experience gave her confidence a boost – so she followed it up a couple of weeks later by entering the Manchester Dog Show, where she and Caleb reached third place.

“Cat was surprised to find that this gave her the required qualification to enter Caleb for Crufts, so she took him to the NEC Birmingham on the day the show opened.

“Cat was overwhelmed to find that she had a placement for showing Caleb, and proudly returned home with a first place Crufts certificate, together with a rosette.”

Winning the Minor Puppy – Dog class means Cat and Caleb have automatically qualified for Crufts next year.

“Cat expects to return with him to enter the ‘working dog’ class,” Rob added, “where she is sure to face stiff opposition. We know that both Cat and Caleb will do their best again, and we wish them both the best of success.”