A Darlington dog owner celebrated her birthday in the best way possible by winning a Best of Breed prize at Crufts. 

Charlotte Westerman and Miniature Pinscher Otto wowed the judges on the famous green carpet to take top spot at NEC Birmingham. 

It proved the perfect present Westerman, who turned 22 on Sunday and earned her first best of breed gong since coming to the world’s greatest dog show for the first time in 2014. 

“If I am honest, it still hasn’t sunk in,” said Westerman. “It feels amazing. I didn’t expect to do so well, I just wanted to enjoy showing him. 

“There is a lot of training and I bred him myself as well. We have a great bond. He is so funny and cheeky; he is full of character.” 

Westerman and Otto then took on the bright lights of the main arena in the Toy Group category but were beaten to a place in the Best in Show final by 15-month-old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel Dublin. 

The overall prize went to four-year-old Lagotto Romagnolo Orca and owners Javier Gonzalez Mendikote and Ante Lucin. 

The trio travelled for 25 hours from Croatia to Birmingham in order to compete, but the long journey was more than worth it after taking home the ultimate accolade. 

“It was always a dream and today it has come true,” said Gonzalez Mendikote. 

“Winning the group on the first day you have a lot of time to think, but when we entered we thought it could be the last time to win Best in Show so we thought let’s enjoy it. 

“It’s amazing you can’t ask for more,” added Lucin. “She is a natural talent, she loves it so much. 

“When she enters the ring, you can see she really loves it and that’s the reason why she has always done well. 

“This is the most beautiful ending that we could ever imagine.” 

Elsewhere, there was also further North Eastern success as Gary Pearce and Dale Frances took home the Best of Breed rosette with German Spitz (Mittel) Izzy. 

“It feels amazing,” said Pearce. “It is the world’s best show. 

“This is her second time as Best of Breed at Crufts and this is our eighth Best of Breed – it’s great.” 

“We were up at half past two this morning and on the road for four. It’s a lot of dedication and hard work but it’s all worth it.”