BORDERS junior dog handling star Leo Page grabbed the limelight when he and his border terrier won their first ever show together. 

And he is aiming for a repeat at Crufts 2024.

The 10-year-old has only been involved in junior handling and showing for a year as mum Caroline Blackie, 34, insists he boasts a natural talent.

The youngster saved up all his own pocket money to buy Picer He’s The Gaffer and spurred his mother on to learn to drive, with a view of travelling all over for dog shows.

Caroline said: “Leo decided to come along with me to a show in 2022 to see what it was all about and decided he wanted to do junior handling.

“We went to a show and out of nowhere he won the class and he has been hooked since that moment.

“He encouraged me to go to more because of that so he decided to buy his own puppy with his pocket money savings, who he’s called Fenn.

“He bought his puppy, he’s trained her all completely so it's all him.

“It’s great for us from a bonding point of view, he tells me what shows to enter, every other weekend we’re at one.

“He made me pass my driving test so I could drive him all over to compete, I didn’t drive before last year so he’s given me so much confidence to go out to all the different shows now.”

Crufts is a unique celebration of happy, healthy dogs and the loving relationship that they enjoy with their owners.

The world's biggest dog show recognises the varied roles that dogs play in society and highlights the many different disciplines and activities for dogs and owners.

The mother and son pair are also entering fellow canines Kirkbyvalley Tally Ho, who they have recently taken on since her owner passed away, and Juniper Elemcella Sedum.

It is a second visit to Crufts for Caroline, who showed Juniper Elemcella Sedum’s dad at the event five years ago, winning the postgraduate class.

Upon her return and her son’s first trip to the NEC Birmingham, Caroline feels proud to pass on her love of competing to the next generation.

She said: “We’re both so excited, we would like to enjoy the day because it’s a huge privilege to even get to it and Leo can't wait for the junior handling.

“He’s got a suit ready, he’s organising all his day, he loves showing other people what he does as well through videos and photos.”

Leo added: “I love going into showing and having fun, even if I don’t win something I just use it as a training session.”

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 March 7-10 at the NEC Birmingham. Viewers can follow all the action and highlights on Channel 4, and for further information and tickets visit: http://crufts.org.uk