TWO sisters and their dancing dog have won a haul of rosettes in an international competition.

Freya, 15, and Amelia Joynes, 18, from Swanage, impressed judges across four different categories in the online competition, Video Dog.

The star of the show was Willow, an Irish terrier cross, who gained five rosettes for her performance in the heelwork to music routine.

She danced to songs including Jai Ho, Up, and Ex’s and Oh’s, incorporating a variety of challenging tricks to wow the judges.

She helped Freya win first place in the junior category and third place in the starter freestyle category. She and Amelia scored second place in the absolute beginner category.

The girls also entered a duo routine with Willow to gain another two rosettes.

Carol Bentley, who runs the Purbeck Dog Dancing group, of which Freya and Amelia are both members, said she was “extremely proud” of the girls’ achievement.

“They and their classmates all work extremely hard training their dogs in this popular sport. They choose the music and come up with the routine and the class helps them to fine-tune it.

“Freya is one of my little stars – she’s very innovative and comes up with different moves for Willow. She does 10 minutes of practice with her before school, which keeps her fresh.

"She also ran a heelwork to music session at a recent 'have-a-go' day we were involved in, where folks had tasters sessions in obedience, agility and heelwork to music.

"She has the potential to compete in Crufts one day.”

She added: “I’m delighted to say other members of our class also received rosettes; we scooped over a dozen in all.”

Freya, a pupil at The Swanage School, has won first prize in the Video Dog competition several times since taking up the hobby a couple of years ago.

Last year, a circus-themed routine won them the top spot.

Freya and Amelia’s mum, Sally, said: “Willow loves to dance. When you say the words ‘Do you want to dance?’, she gets excited.

“She learns tricks so quickly. It’s really good she and Millie won second place.

“Her and Freya have always come first when they’ve entered the competition. Freya seems to be a natural. She likes a bit of street dancing and Taekwondo, which makes her routines quite innovative.

“She’s looking to enter Crufts in 2018.”

Willow will be performing next at the Margaret Green Country Fayre on Sunday, September 25, at Church Knowle.