A DOG groomer from Cam is celebrating after she and four of her dogs won an array of awards at this year’s Crufts.

The judges were spoiled for choice as 27,000 dogs descended on Birmingham’s NEC last week for the the world’s largest dog show.

But Christina Suiter and her Kooikerhondjes - Rummy, Freya, Okto and Luna - had no trouble in impressing them, taking a total of 11 different awards.

“I’m really thrilled with the result,” she said.

Christina’s dog Freya won four rosettes, Okto two and Luna one.

And Rummy scooped four awards, including ‘best dog in breed’, which was especially exciting for Christina, as he was up against four champions from overseas.

This saw he and Christina take to Cruft’s famous green carpet, which is rolled out Oscars-style at the event.

“I’ve been on the green carpet three times in my seven years of showing,” said Christina.

“I’ve had so much wonderful luck on my side to get there.

“Some people work for years and never make it.

She added: “I don’t get nervous on the green carpet, because I know we’re not going any further, because Kooikerhondjes are such a little known breed, and the top slots tend to go to the better known breeds.”

Christina first got into Kooikerhondjes through her daughter.

“My daughter was very academic and I wanted to find something to get her head out her books.

“So I offered to get her her own dog, and she could choose any breed she liked.

“She chose a Kooikerhondje, Elliot, who is sadly no longer with us.

“That got me hooked.”

Kooikerhondjes are a Dutch duck decoy breed, and there are currently around 400 in the UK.

“Crufts is completely different to anything else,” said Christina.

“People work very hard to get there.

“It’s important how the dogs walk around, and how they stand.

“It’s not just taking a dog into a ring and prancing around.”