AN ENGLISH Setter with blue flecks in her fur, a yodelling Basenji and sibling Italian Greyhounds hoping to follow in their family's footsteps are some of the north Hampshire dogs looking to impress judges at this year's Crufts.

The show, which began yesterday and runs until Sunday, annually attracts thousands of dogs owners and their faithful friends, and this year is no exception.

Madelaine Croft, of Popley, Basingstoke, is hoping her Basenji bitch - two-year-old Kizzee - will repeat her success at last year's show when she won her class. And by the sounds of it, Kizzee hopes so too.

Apart from wild dogs, the Basenji is the only breed in the world which doesn't bark. But they are certainly not quiet animals.

"Instead of barking, Kizzee yodels," said Madelaine. "She makes all sort of other funny noises too - like chortling and crowing!"

Madelaine's other entry is three-year-old blue belton English Setter, Mabel, who has blue flecks in her fur and has done well in previous shows.

qMaureen Baker has been showing German Shepherds at Crufts for the last 30 years, and has experienced numerous successes. This year she is entering four-year-olds Willow and Ice.

"We have had quite a few lifetime qualifications, which means the dogs don't need to qualify to get into the show each year," said Maureen.

She added: "The judge this year isn't really our type of judge so we are not expecting great things.

"But because of the lifetime qualifications, we are taking them anyway."

Maureen runs Lyde Boarding Kennels in Basingstoke with Kim Waite, who is also entering her German Shepherd, two-year-old Ski.

Liz and Alan Bartram, of Tadley, have been entering Crufts for many years.

This year they are taking 14-month-old brother and sister Tug and Tilly. The siblings are Papillons, which Liz and Alan have been breeding and entering in the famous show since 1974.

They are also taking their champion bitch Emma.

"We have never been to Crufts and not come away with an award," said Liz. "Last year we had two firsts, which was wonderful."

She added: "Papillons make great agility and obedience dogs and are very easy to train. I have two 12-week-old puppies who are already trained to wait at the door and let me go through first!"

Julie Young, of Overton, has owned English Setters for 30 years.

"My mother bred them, so I was brought up around them," she said.

"I have been at Crufts almost every year for the last 15 years."

This year, Julie is hoping her bitches - four-year-old Willow and eight-year-old Spice - will do her proud. Both received a second in their classes last year.

And this year they have been joined by nine-month-old Dudley, who is making his debut at the show.

Frances Adams is hoping 18-month-old brother and sister Italian Greyhounds, Dodie and Harvey, will be following in their mum's footsteps after she won best of breed in Crufts 2000.

"She is retiring this year," said Frances, of Brighton Hill, Basingstoke. "She is leaving her children to do it instead."

The pair have got a lot to live up to as, last year, their uncle Ben was the winner of a veteran class.

Marion Hunt has been breeding Beagles for 30 years and is hoping two-year-old Fable and 18-month-old PK will come up trumps this year.

Marion, of Black Dam, Basingstoke, is also entering two Basset Griffon Vendeens (petit) - 11-year-old Josh and three-year-old Ace - who have both won a number of firsts in previous shows.

She said her first entry in Crufts was 25 years ago and she has a great record.

"I have only ever missed one show in all those years," she said.