I love building a bond, says Wisbech champion dog handler

While many dog owners have a close bond with their pets, not many could hope to conquer Crufts to be named among the best dog handlers in the world - and at the tender age of 17. Megan Slack from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, has done just that, winning International Junior Handler at this year's Royal Kennel Club show. The club confirmed it was the "first time UK has won this competition since 1995". The teenager, who has been a fan of Crufts since she was eight, said winning the title last month was "unbelievable". Megan, who is studying animal management at college, is now preparing to represent Britain at the World Dog Show in Italy in June. She grew up surrounded by dogs and both her mother and grandmother were involved in dog handling. "I just love dogs so much - they're always such fun, so playful and they really just pick you up when you've had a bad day," Megan said. So, why take that love into the show arena? "I really love building a bond and a rapport with all the dogs I handle." She said she had been watching junior handling competitions online for years "but I never thought I'd be there - it's amazing". The Crufts final involved handling a dog the participant has met just