THE bulldog spirit was much in force as the region's biggest dog show got under way yesterday.

Competitors, judges and spectators braved heavy showers and fuel shortages on the first day of the 32nd Darlington Championship Dog Show.

Organisers said that numbers were not greatly down, and only two judges from the 150 expected were unable to make it.

The fuel shortages had an impact, however, on the beer tent, which closed because of a lack of staff, and no hot meals were available because of problems transporting the ovens.

Maureen Hennis, chairwoman of the Darlington Dog Show Society, said: "Everyone's spirits have been high, despite such a trying week that we have had.

"We expected some absentees, but there have been very few. People have travelled here not knowing if they could get back, because of the petrol situation, because it is such an important show

"Some of the judges have travelled from abroad, from places such as Australia, South Africa and France."

Contingency plans were put in place because of the rain, and covered rings were used where necessary to show the dogs.

The show, opened by Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Dot Long, will run for three days with the highlight being the best in show contest tomorrow night.

Yesterday, the hound, terrier and utility dog groups were the first to be judged.

They will be followed by the working and pastoral groups today and, tomorrow, the gundog and toy groups.

Hundreds of different breeds will be on show from the traditional to the rare.

Rebecca Agronius travelled from Stockholm, in Sweden, with her mother, Gunilla, to show long-haired standard poodle Look Twice Hairy Lime Theme, also called Elton.

The dog has won championships in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Luxembourg.

She said: "We have been showing him since he was a puppy and he has been shown all over Europe.

"It is fantastic to be able to come to the show here, but unfortunately I think we brought the weather with us."