A WINCHESTER teenager will represent the UK at a prestigious dog competition in March next year.

Dominique ‘Min’ Witheyman, 17, fought off opposition from 14 other dog handlers at the UK Junior Handler of the Year competition .

The contest took place at the ExCel Centre in London, and was the Peter Symonds student’s fifth time as a finalist.

Her victory means she will represent the country in the International Junior Handler competition, part of Crufts 2019, where she will compete against 42 juniors from countries around the world.

Min said: “I still can’t believe it. This year I got through to the UK Junior Handler of the Year finals, handling a Petit Bassett hound.

“I was shortlisted down to the top six and had to show a ‘swap’ dog, which was a Samoyed. I was thrilled to be chosen as the overall UK Junior Handling winner.”

She regularly travels across the UK to take part in various handling competitions.

When not competing, she enjoys walking her three Wheaten Terriers and German Shepherd. Her podcast can be found on the Player FM website by searching for ‘Min Witheyman Discover Dogs 2018.’