It's a dog's life after Crufts success for Bramley teenager

The pair between them have achieved high placings in the international competition, which was held at the Birmingham NEC in March (8-11).

Sophie Mitchell (15), of Austen Drive in Bramley, and pet whippet Millie, who is five, wowed the judges by taking second place in the dog’s breed class and runner-up as junior handler.

The pair have been doing well in competitions for a number of years now and aim to achieve more glory at Crufts in the future.

Proud dad Phil said: “Just to be at Crufts you are a winner.”

Mr Mitchell said that because Sophie won her class for dog handling at the competition, she was carried forward to the junior handling final which covered all handlers aged from six to 24, where she was chosen as runner-up.

Mr Mitchell said: “She was over the moon, as you can imagine.

“Because of the success it gives her the confidence to keep going.

“Millie performed well all day.”

Mr Mitchell said he was grateful to Sophie’s school, Wickersley Comprehensive, for supporting her by giving her time off to enter competitions with Millie which were often on school days.

Millie is coping with her success admirably, according to Mr Mitchell.

He said: “Millie is always pampered. She always gets her own way.

“I think she knows what’s going on.

“I think Millie does know what she has to do in the show ring but when we take her for a walk she does not misbehave but she does seem different.

“Sophie has put the hours in with her. They have a really good bond.

“Millie was our first dog and we thought we would try showing her. It was a new venture for us. Because of the success she just went from strength to strength.”

The family now has three dogs. Another whippet, three-year-old Luna, has been shown at Crufts as well, and Millie’s son Harry, who is 11 months old, has also been shown.

Mr Mitchell said it was Sophie’s grandma Ann Mitchell who got her into showing dogs.