A dog from Somerset has triumphed at Crufts by winning the Good Citizen Pre-Beginner Obedience Stakes Competition.
Labrador Retriever, Daisy and her owner Marie Gibson beat 18 other talented dogs to be crowned the winner of the 2016 Good Citizen Pre-Beginner Stakes competition at the world's greatest dog show.
Speaking after her win Marie said: "I'm a very happy lady and so pleased with Daisy. She is a rescue dog who had two homes before I adopted her. This is a dream come true for both of us."
The Good Citizen Dog Scheme (GCDS) competition was first held in 2005 to encourage owners of dogs who have passed their GCDS Bronze Award to take part in obedience competitions as a potential gateway in to dog exhibition. The exercises included in the test are a combination of current GCDS exercises and the Pre-Beginner Obedience test. Building on the basic training skills learnt through the Good Citizen Dog Scheme, these new stakes help to bridge the gap between basic training and entering a competition. Dogs must have obtained their Bronze Award prior to the closing date of the show.
Dogs competing in the final had to qualify at one of the 32 heats held across the country last year with each heat qualifying the top two dogs; one Border Collie/Working Sheepdog and one ABC (Anything But Collie).
Maurice Cooke, Good Citizen Dog Scheme Working Party Chairman, added: "Daisy and Marie did a fantastic job in the ring today. The standard of competitors was very high and the pair should be proud of their achievement. The Pre-Beginner Stakes are a great way for dogs and owners to enter the obedience world and I look forward to seeing what Daisy and Marie do next."