AN EMMERDALE star has qualified for two events at Crufts this year – and revealed their hugely successful secret career as a dog trainer.
Actress Gabrielle Dowling, 18, who has played Cathy Hope since she was a baby on the soap, has revealed she is competing at the huge dog show with her beloved pooch.
Gabrielle has arrived at Crufts to compete with her dog Fizz[/caption]
The pooch is competing in two categories at the prestigious dog show[/caption]
Gabrielle plays Cathy Hope in Emmerdale[/caption]
Appearing at the prestigious canine competition today she has secured a place in two categories with her chocolate cocker spaniel, Fizz.
Gabrielle bred Fizz on her family farm and trained her up herself.
“Fizz is a very sensitive dog,” the actress told Inside Soap.
“She will always try her best in every class, which has led us to win two qualifiers for Crufts in two different categories.
“She’s a brilliant dog who knows her job, wants to please, whilst of course having fun.”
Gabrielle added: “We’ve qualified in the Young Kennel Club Jumping Cup and Pairs Agility, with my partner Lilliana and her dog Fire.”
The star is serious about her other career – and she’s even taken courses so she can become a judge in the future.
“I’ve completed a judging course this year,” she addd.
“This is so I can become a qualified agility judge, which allows me to judge other dogs and handlers in agility competitions, as well as set grade appropriate courses for them to tackle.”
Meanwhile on-screen Gabrielle’s character Cathy has had a tough year in Emmerdale.
She lost her twin brother Heath in a deadly car crash and has been diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) that have seen her spiral out of control with intense mood swings.
More than 20,000 dogs are expected to compete in Crufts from today.
Soap stars leaving this year
Soap has – or will lose some iconic characters this year – here we’ve rounded up the latest departures…
EASTENDERS
Navin Chowdhry
CORONATION STREET
Calum Lill
Bill Fellows
Launa Santos
Helen Worth
Lucy Fallon
HOLLYOAKS
Matthew James Bailey
Gregory Finnegan
Stephanie Warring
Annie Wallace
NEIGHBOURS
Ryan Maloney
Lucinda Cowden
Taking place over four days from Thursday, March 6, dogs and their owners will arrive from all over the world for the prestigious competition.
The Sun revealed earlier this week how a six year old boy is set to become the youngest ever competitor at the show at the Birmingham NEC.
