Richmond's prestige pooches swap the green grass of Bushy Park for the green carpet of Crufts this week.

Five dogs from the borough are taking part in the dog world's most glamorous date at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, which starts today.

One dog making her debut is the beagle Leona, named after singer Leona Lewis, from Twickenham, who competes in the yearling bitch category.

Her owner Felicity Hankey, 52, was hopeful the 20-month-old pup could follow in the footsteps of her former show beagle, Bertie.

She said: "I'm very excited, yes - it is a lovely honour to qualify for Crufts and it is just such a great occasion to be there.

"It is lovely to meet all the other show-dogs and their owners and Leona loves it as well."

But despite her aspirations for Leona to become a successful show-dog, Mrs Hankey said she is just a normal - sometimes mischievous - dog.

She added: "She is absolutely adorable, she is very gentle with children and loves socialisation.

"She can be naughty at times as well, stealing the odd yoghurt pot and running down the garden with it."

Another dog, of a more mature ilk, hoping to make an impression in the veterans' category on Sunday is Pamina, the eurasier, from Richmond.

The nine-year-old appeared at last year's competition, winning in the good citizen category and coming second in the veterans' category.

Her owner Brigitte Mordan-Grimm, 52, has always kept eurasiers.

She added: "I have always had them which is a big pull, when I was looking for a breed of dog in my early 20s, I wanted a not over-bred dog.

"Their temperament suits me and they are very affectionate without being too demanding and they fit into most families very well."

As well as these two hopeful hounds, three other dogs will strut their stuff on the Crufts stage over the course of the weekend.

A lhasa apso and a Yorkshire terrier from Twickenham as well as a flat-coated retriever from East Sheen make up the numbers.