A SEVEN year old girl’s Shetland sheepdog has qualified for next year’s Crufts.

Isobel Khawaja, of Branksome Avenue, Stanford-le-Hope, presented Dusty at the East of England Championship Show at Peterborough earlier this month only for her to win her breed class of post graduate bitch, qualifying her for the prestigious show.

Grandma Ann Harrison said: “This is a big achievement for a young girl and she is over the moon to have qualified her first dog for this prestigious show.

“In July Isobel will be attending a week long training camp run by The Young Kennel Club, where she will gain invaluable experience in many other dog activities such as obedience, agility, heelwork and music to name a few, so she is going to be very busy.

“This is such a great hobby and Isobel is thoroughly enjoying herself and the fun she is having with her lovely dog.”

Isobel is a pupil at Graham James Primary School and was named best overall handler in the junior competition at Chelmsford Dog Show in May.