Manchester had its fair share of doggy delights at this year’s Crufts, with one four-legged friend being named the prettiest of the country’s crossbreeds.
One of 22,000 happy, healthy dogs at Birmingham’s NEC for the world’s largest dog show, crossbreed Ginny made sure to take a starring role alongside her Stockport owner Judy Rigby, walking away with the prettiest bitch award in Scruffts.
Presented by the Kennel Club, this year’s Crufts marked the 126th edition of the show, which attracts dogs and owners from all over the world as well as thousands of visitors over the course of the four days.
Ginny was named prettiest bitch ahead of the final of Scruffts, which honours the best of the nation’s crossbreed dogs.
And while she did not scoop the overall Best in Show for Scruffts, Ginny’s winning looks certainly put a smile on the faces of those around her, not least owner Judy.
“Everybody’s got such great stories and Ginny is a pretty girl,” said 44-year-old Judy, a day nursery manager from Heaton Mersey.
“She goes to nursery five days a week, she’s around all the children, she’s got great character.
“We went to the Family Pet Show at EventCity in Manchester in October, and someone was flicking through the leaflet, said ‘let’s enter her for this competition’.
“I hadn’t read the small print, I didn’t know it was Scruffts, we won and the next minute, three weeks later we were in London winning again. Needless to say, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind.”
Despite heaping praise on her pretty pooch, Judy admitted that Ginny’s quiet demeanour was not always evident when she was a puppy.
“Ginny is beautiful, she’s only 14 months old, but the first year was testing,” said Judy. “She was a tiny puppy and everyone thought she was amazing, but she was really naughty!
“She would steal food, she would run around, she would bite me and bark at everything.
“But these past few months, she has grown up and she’s become amazing.
“And Crufts is amazing too – I wanted to go shopping! The stalls, the shops and the amount of people involved is quite crazy.”
Another impressive performance at Crufts came from Bryn Allsopp, from Ashton-under-Lyne, who enjoyed success with his Staffordshire bull terrier Blue, winning Best of Breed.
“This is an extraordinary feeling and there’s no words to describe how I feel,” said Bryn, who works in technical sales.
“I just love the bones of Blue, a lot of people at Crufts are breeders but he’s my pet and I just love the lad.”
Meanwhile, Didsbury schoolgirl Kaydie Davidson was runner-up in her Graduate Obedience class with her dog Jazz.
Broad Oak Primary School pupil Kaydie scooped the honour with Jazz, a five-year-old sheepdog, and the youngster spoke of her affection for her beloved pooch after their impressive performance.
“Jazz is a good dog,” said nine-year-old Kaydie. “When I come home from school she always comes over and smiles. She’s a good friend and she’s a good home dog as well.
“I enjoy Crufts a lot because I get to see friends that I haven’t seen in a long time and I get to meet new people.”
