At just two-and-a-half years old, he’s already a multiple show winner and in the coming week he’s hoping to add to his impressive tally of titles.

Bolognese dog Otti (kennel name: Champion Little White Wonder Othello Matteo) will be accompanying his co-owner Virginia Dowty to the NEC in Birmingham, where he hopes to score further successes at Crufts.

During Crufts, which starts today and runs until Sunday, he’s also set to receive another top accolade in a special ceremony at the Hilton hotel near the NEC.

Ms Dowty, who lives near Castletown, said: ’He is being presented with a coveted Pawscars award for the Top Rare Breed Dog in the UK.

’The Pawscars are the Oscars of the dog world. He has also been featured on the back of one of the main Crufts publications.’

The Pawscars provide a curtain-raiser at the start of Crufts and honour those who deserve recognition in all areas of the UK pedigree dog showing world.

So far, Otti is the top UK Rare Breed Bolognese, having beaten several thousand other contenders for the award. In addition, last year, he was the Top Puppy of all breeds in the UK. He has won more than 30 best of breed titles not only in the UK but in Ireland and Europe as well.

Closer to home, he was Best in Show at the Royal Manx Show in 2016.

’He lives here on the island with me and my other dogs so he is a pet as well as a show dog but we often go away to shows all over the UK and Europe,’ said Ms Dowty, who will be taking seven dogs with her to Crufts this year.

’He competed in Brussels and was Reserve Best Dog in the European Winners’ Show.’

During periods on the road, Otti may stay with co-owner Kathryn Begg in the midlands.

Last year, when he was only 18 months old, he was Reserve Best Dog in his breed out of an entry of 70. This year, he will be expanding his remit to compete in the Young Kennel Club Stakes semi-final, handled by Ms Dowty’s eight-year-old granddaughter, Isabella Mackrell.

Ms Dowty will also show her Australian Silky Terriers as well as Bolognese dog Audrey, now 11, who was Veteran Winner in the World Show 2015, and at the world’s second biggest dog show, the European Show in Brussels, in 2016.

’I’ve had the Top dog and Top Puppy in the breed now for nine years and I have previously had 3 Best of Breeds at Crufts, so now it’s fingers crossed for this year,’ she said.