A SCHOOLGIRL who taught herself to groom dogs will compete at Crufts for the fifth time.

Abby Webb, 16, has qualified in grooming and handling of both the stakes and main breed classes at Crufts 2019, due to be held in March at The NEC, Birmingham.

This is the latest in a long line of Crufts appearances for Abby, who goes to King Edmund School in Rochford, as she first qualified in 2015 in the Young Kennel Club, coming fourth place in the grooming category.

She practices her grooming with Tibetan Terriers Ciel and Adalia, jointly owned with her aunt, Sharon Elvidge, of Wells Avenue, Rochford.

Abby has competed at Crufts every year since 2015, in grooming, handling and main breed classes where she was placed 2nd in handling and 1st in grooming for her age and category. She was also placed as reserve overall groomer of the year.

Abby attends two ringcraft clubs; the Southend and District Canine Society and Wickford and Basildon Canine Society.

She has been supported by an older junior handler, Jodi Allen.

Aunt Sharon said: “The first dog was brought as a pet, but we went along to the Ringcraft at Southend for some additional socialisation. She got bitten by the showing bug, hence the purchase of a second dog that was the correct breed standard for the show ring.

“King Edmund School fully support Abby in her hobby, and we regularly travel miles to shows. She does all of this alongside dancing, ice skating and maintaining her school grades.

“She’s self-taught. Much of what she has learnt was from a book produced by a world champion junior handler Marina Scott.”