A LARGS artist is hoping her amazing sculptures will be 'best in show' as she heads for the world's biggest dog event.

Louise Jarvis, 37, will be attending Crufts to showcase her creations, each created from 72kg of clay.

The dog lover has 10 years experience as an animal artist, starting out with portraiture before turning her hand to 3D designs.

Louise says she can't wait to show off her wares at the dog extravaganza.

She said: "It is the hardest show to get a trade stand space, but it has always been my dream to one day exhibit at Crufts.

"I've been before and actually presented two portraits in 2012 as surprise presents in the show ring.

"Since then I always dreamt I would be back one day exhibiting my art.

"I had a rough idea of the breeds that I would love to include in my display and got in touch with some of the UK's most prestigious kennels. I was astounded when they all said they were enthusiastic about me sculpting their dogs."

Louise showed dogs herself, allowing her the opportunity to meet other animal lovers who were keen to capture their pets.

Having grown up with dogs in her family, Louise says they have always been her 'one true passion'.

She has chosen the British Bulldog as her 'show-stopper' display piece, creating a life-sized model of one as her stand's centrepiece.

She added: "I put a call out to Bulldog breeders on Facebook and one contacted me with photos of her dog Hetti, who I fell in love with instantly.

"She has bags of personality and I knew she would be perfect for my stand. She has the sweetest sour expression."

But Louise says creating her as a sculpture didn’t come without its challenges.

She added: "72kg of clay were used, and once hollowed out, she weighs 55kg and once fired, slightly less.

"The physical challenge of creating a scale full body standing sculpture was new, exciting and utterly terrifying.

"But over 110 hours later she is now ready to be fired for the big reveal at Crufts."

The rest of Louise's exhibits are all life-sized busts of the other breeds.

She said: "There was a huge amount of pressure to make sure the sculptures were hair by hair accurate, but as I finish up sculpting the last one of them I can hand on heart say that every kennel was delighted with the sculpture I did for them.

"We all cannot wait to see them on display."