An 18-year-old has continued her family’s dog showing legacy by competing at Crufts, the world’s biggest dog show.

Chelmsford’s Rebecca Moss attended the showpiece event for a second time, showing her three-year-old Golden Retriever Ella.

She followed in the footsteps of her grandmother Barbara and aunt Joanne and was even joined in the showing ring by her 15-year-old sister Rosie.

“We ran really well, but we didn’t get selected,” Moss said. “With Crufts being such a big event, as long as we do well in our ring, that’s a win for us.

“Every day really is just working towards that goal of placing, and just by doing well it is an achievement in itself. 

“Showing first came about in 2020, we got Ella and then I was speaking to my Nan about when she used to do showing with Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

“I started asking questions about that and then she started telling me about her stories and her achievements at Crufts, like placing second in breed. 

“My Auntie Joanne used to also show and compete at Crufts and I just wanted to follow in both of their footsteps.”

The A-Level student first trained Ella in obedience achieving the gold level at just 16 years old and is already a qualified dog obedience trainer.

With her second appearance at Crufts fresh in her mind, Moss is already looking ahead to next year.

She added: “My goal is to place at Crufts, that would be a really big achievement.

“It takes a lot of preparation, knowing how to run with your dog, your dog knowing how to stand properly, learning to how groom your dog takes a lot of work. 

“We’ve been doing it, two years and we are getting there.

“We've got a lot of friends within the show community who are very supportive of me and my sister, who will help us out. 

“It has made so much difference to my life. My life is taken up by dogs and in a really good way. It's just amazing, I've got myself a little friend, my best friend.”

Crufts, run by The Kennel Club, is a unique celebration of happy, healthy dogs and of the loving relationship that they enjoy with their owners. Crufts is held from 9-12 March 2023 at the NEC Birmingham. Viewers can follow all the action and highlights on Channel 4 and More4, and for further information and tickets visit crufts.org.uk