A dog trainer has set her sights on Crufts glory as she a her 'unicorn' canine prepare for their debut in the main ring.

Worcester's Georgie Lott, 37, who has been honing her agility skills since she was nine, has qualified for the headline event with her working cocker spaniel, Eadie.

Eadie, who has become known for wowing onlookers and standing out from the crowd, has earned the nickname 'The Unicorn'.

 

 

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Lott said: "She’s actually known as ‘The Unicorn’, that’s her nickname.

"When she was a puppy, she went on a training day and she was in a group with loads of collies, and of course, collies are renowned for being super intelligent.

“All these collies got this thing wrong and Eadie rocked up and just nailed it.

"The trainer was like ‘she's not a dog, she's not even a collie, she's a unicorn.’"

The three-year-old spaniel isn't just a crowd-pleaser; she also holds a special place in her owner's heart, with Lott crediting the lockdown restrictions for fostering a special bond between them.

Eadie, who can read her owner "like a book", was predicted to be special from as young as eight weeks old.

Lott said: "I knew she was very special at eight weeks old when I picked her up as a puppy.

"I used to play thinking games and problem-solving games, and she would just work them out straight away."

Crufts, the world's biggest dog show, is not only a celebration of happy, healthy dogs but also recognises the significant roles dogs play in society.

Lott is a strong proponent of dog training as an effective tool to deal with canine anxiety and potential behavioural problems.

She said: "A lot of dogs do end up getting behavioural problems and I believe it’s because they don’t channel their energy.

Having faced multiple setbacks in previous attempts to qualify for Crufts, Lott is thrilled to finally have an opportunity to compete in the main ring.

She said: "I've tried for years, so just to make it into the top eight dogs in the country is an incredible achievement for a three-year-old dog.

"I can’t explain how excited I am."