MEMBERS of a dog club in Drybrook have their eyes on the prize at Crufts in a couple of weeks, and their youngest handler, aged just eight, is already an old hand at competing.

Ryan Hook from Broadwell goes to Coalway Junior school and is a member of Drybrook Ringcraft.

He will be taking his Japanese Spitz, Kyi, to Crufts travelling to London with his grandmother Debbie Turner to compete in the ring alongside the adults from March 8 to 11.

Ryan’s mum, Donna Hook, said: “Ryan started going to ringcraft with Mum and Dad and it all progressed from there. We’re definitely very proud of him, They gave him one of their bitch’s puppies, so he now has his own dog to show. Ryan has entered three times before and has come second and third.”

Debbie herself is entering three dogs. She said: “We have seven dogs that qualified for Crufts this year and we have entered three.

“Kobi has qualified at numerous shows and has had a very good 18 months of show-winning. This is his second trip to Crufts. Last year he came third in his last puppy class which is where he qualified for this year.

“Kia, our youngest entrant at 17 months has qualified many times and our last entrant is Ryan with his dog Kyi. They have been showing together since Kyi was 12 months old and have had numerous qualifying wins and lots of junior handling first places.

“Ryan also shows Kyi with the adults at both championship and open shows.”

Elainne Wilson, from Five Acres, also a member of Drybrook Ringcraft, is showing Jupi and Chelsea, both Groenendaels, one of the four varieties of Belgian shepherd dogs.

She said: “I have been involved with the breed since 1983 and have owned two show campions as well as other top winning dogs. I show my dogs all over the UK as well as in Europe – it’s an addictive but very expensive hobby. Crufts is the highlight of the dog show year and winning there is every exhibitor’s aim.

Gemma Greenway is entering three Dogue de Bordeaux, Tazor, Lollie and Rouge. She and her husband David own and run Regalrouge Dogue de Bordeax and Grooming Salon in Coleford.

Gemma said: “This is the pinnacle of the dog show calender, and it is such a privilege to show on the famous green carpet, we can’t wait to help represent the Forest of Dean at such a prestigious event.”

Drybrook Ringcraft Dog Club meets at the Drybrook Memorial Hall from 8pm to 9pm on a Wednesday. For more information, search for Drybrook Dog Club on Facebook.