A pair of Middlesbrough dog owners earned a second Best of Breed award with the same dog at Crufts on Sunday.

Dale Frances and Gary Pearce took top spot with German Spitz (Mittel) Izzy for the second time at the world’s greatest dog show in Birmingham.

The duo had to set an early alarm to travel down in search of their second rosette with Izzy, but Pearce admitted the result made it all worthwhile.

“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.” 

There was also more North Eastern success with Darlington’s Charlotte Westerman taking Best of Breed with Miniature Pinscher Otto.

Westerman turned 22 on Sunday and revealed it was the perfect way to celebrate her birthday.

“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.” 

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.”