Emmerdale star Gabrielle Dowling has exclusively revealed that she has qualified for one of the world’s most prestigious dog competitions.

The actor, who plays Cathy Hope, has secured a place in two categories at Crufts with her chocolate cocker spaniel, Fizz – who she bred on her family farm.

“Fizz is a very sensitive dog,” she told Inside Soap. “She will always try her best in every class, which has led us to win two qualifiers for Crufts in two different categories. She’s a brilliant dog who knows her job, wants to please, whilst of course having fun.”

“We’ve qualified in the Young Kennel Club Jumping Cup and Pairs Agility, with my partner Lilliana and her dog Fire.”

As a participant in a local ‘fun club’ three years ago, Gabrielle was approached by a trainer that saw the potential of her and her two dogs, Fizz and Flo.

Since then, she has committed herself to an impressive training routine and dedicated her weekends to participating in dog shows across the country – while also juggling her acting job and working on her A-levels.

Gabrielle first appeared on Emmerdale just four weeks after her birth, alongside her twin Sebastian, who played her brother Heath until last year.

Since then, she has brilliantly portrayed her character’s struggle with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), in addition to the grief following Heath’s untimely death.

But Gabrielle clearly has plenty of talent beyond her acting skills, and the sky is the limit for her already-impressive dog training career.

“I’ve completed a judging course this year,” she revealed. “This is so I can become a qualified agility judge, which allows me to judge other dogs and handlers in agility competitions, as well as set grade appropriate courses for them to tackle.”