Ashleigh and Pudsey Crowned Agility Winners at Crufts 2016

Pudsey, a Border Collie/Bichon Frise/Chinese Crested Powderpuff cross and Ashleigh Butler from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire have won one of the country's most prestigious dog agility competitions after battling it out in the medium dog Kennel Club Singles Agility at Crufts on Friday 11th March.

In front of the crowds at the world's greatest dog show, Ashleigh and Pudsey won in the Medium category after competing against nine other dogs and handlers at Crufts in both jumping and agility before taking part in an agility final.

To compete at Crufts, the pair qualified by gaining points at heats held at Kennel Club licensed shows throughout the country.

Ashleigh, who won Britain's Got Talent with Pudsey in 2012, said: "Crufts is amazing, there's no feeling like it; it's incomparable to anything else we've done. The crowed are fantastic - when the race is really close like that and it comes down to hundredths of a second, they really push you on.

"This is definitely our favourite competition; it's the highlight of the calendar year. Agility is still huge for us despite everything else we've been involved in. I don't know if this will be Pudsey's last Crufts or not, we will have to wait and see. "

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "The Singles Agility finals at Crufts are probably one of the most keenly fought for and most prestigious agility finals in the UK. Just to qualify for a Crufts final is a wonderful achievement.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said "Ashleigh and Pudsey's performance at Crufts was fantastic and they worked very well as a team, which is crucial when competing at such a high level in agility. We would like to congratulate them both on their achievement."

Crufts takes place from 10th - 13th March 2016 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information, please visit www.crufts.org.uk.

The results for Crufts 2016 can be found online at www.press.fossedata.co.uk.  For free downloadable images from Crufts 2016, please go to www.w-w-i.com/crufts_2016/.