STELLA the Staffordshire bull terrier has had quite a journey.

From wandering the streets as a stray in 2013, she has developed into an award-winning police dog, and is now dipping her paws into the world of entertainment.

Stella is one of only a handful of Staffordshire bull terriers working as police dogs in the UK, with the young pooch plying her trade as a drugs dog for Gloucestershire Constabulary.

Aside from giving Gloucestershire’s criminals some food for thought, she is now steadying herself for a debut on the big stage with a display appearance at Crufts 2017.

Along with her handler PC Claire Todd, Stella showed off some of her skills at the launch for the world’s biggest dog show on Tuesday and will return to the NEC with PC Todd on Thursday as part of the Staffords display team, linking up with the East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club.

The terrier was taken to RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre in Taunton in 2013 after being abandoned as a stray, and her talent for finding a ball was spotted and developed into a search skill by the police, whom she joined up with the following year.

Stella has earned quite the reputation for her excellent work in the field, and picked up the public service animal of the year award at the Animal Hero Awards in London in 2015.

PC Todd knows she can rely on Stella’s dedication when they are required to sniff out drugs and weapons.

“It’s amazing, she’s such a happy little dog and she just wants to please,” said PC Todd.

“She works so hard and she’s a pleasure to work with. Every job I go to, I know she’s going to give it 110 per cent to find the items we’re looking for.

“Stella finds drugs, cash and firearms, she’s quite unique in that she’s one of the only Staffordshire bull terriers working for police in the UK.

“Gloucestershire and Avon and Somerset are the only two police forces in the country that use Staffords as working police dogs.

“She’s had some fantastic jobs. She found £25,000 on a job once and at Crufts she will be demonstrating how she finds money."

PC Todd believes Staffords are as intelligent as any dog when it comes to sniffing out the bad guys and is relishing being part of the world’s biggest dog show, held at the NEC in Birmingham.

“I’m very proud to be here with Stella, to show how great Staffords are and how clever they can be," said PC Todd.

“Staffords are very intelligent, very keen to please and they work really hard. They’re as good as any spaniel or Labrador and their size is perfect for search work.

“It’s my first ever time at Crufts. I’m very excited to be here with Stella, and very honoured to join the Staffords team here, looking forward to seeing all the other wonderful dogs on display.”