A Largs woman’s miniature pinscher dog Sadie has hit the heights after winning best female in breed at Crufts.
Owner Rebecca Stracey, and pet Sadie, have already enjoyed a wonderful 2016 where Sadie was overall UK Top winning miniature pinscher.
Rebecca featured in the ‘News’ in March 2014 after she became the 200th renal patient to receive a life-saving kidney transplant at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Glasgow Yorkhill.
Rebecca suffered from MPGN type 1 and chronic kidney failure had started dialysis treatment three times a week last year, and it was mum Penny who provide her with a “brave and amazing” donation of one of her kidneys.
Following the operation, Rebecca has has concentrated her interest on Sadie and travelling around the UK to various award events.
Delighted mum Penny Krieger McIlroy Stracey said: “This is a massive achievement. I am very proud of both of them. Sadie’s father was top miniature pinscher two years ago, so comes from a good bloodline, and we bred Sadie herself.
“There are twenty odd championship shows throughout the year, and you have to qualify to get there, and when you are Kennel Club members, that qualifies you to Crufts for life.
“We had won most of the shows last year, so we knew we would be in a good position for Crufts, and we would be there or thereabouts.”
“The build up to the training is important, keeping Sadie in peak condition, and maintaining that throughout the year. It has been great for Rebecca too as it has given her something to focus on and she attends events every week from as far apart as Bournemouth to Edinburgh.
Rebecca and Sadie have certainly clocked up the miles together - 23,000 in all - in their bid for success. 
Training preparations for Sadie includes ring craft, getting the dog to stand and walk properly, and be exhibited and to examine and check teeth construction, and because Sadie is so small, she sits on a table so that the judge does not have to bend down.
Rebecca, who works as a Port Assistant at Cal-Mac in Largs, said: “We were delighted to win - it was quite a shock. 
“I am quite nervous every time we go to a show but once we are there, it is fine, and my confidence rubs off on her. 
“We are hoping to get some puppies and maybe return to the show ring, but for now, we are taking a well deserved break.”