Ballymoney’s Blue is our top dog at Crufts

Blue was one of more than 21,500 happy, healthy dogs at the NEC in Birmingham for the world’s biggest dog show, presented by the Kennel Club, and put his best paw forward to claim a prestigious Best of Breed award last weekend.

Emma Archibald, of Loughabin Road, and Blue fought off competition from a number of other Golden Retrievers to scoop the coveted prize before then picking up the runners-up spot in the overall gundog group.

And the 30-year-old was left beaming with pride at Blue’s performance in front of crowds at the annual competition.

“I can’t actually believe that I’ve come second in the gundog group,” she said.

“It’s an absolute dream come true.

“I’ve never won Best of Breed before and never in my wildest dreams would I have expected that and then to come runners-up.

“Blue is a once in a lifetime dog.

“We are exceptionally proud to have bred him and his personality shines through whenever he is in the ring.

“He’s lived in Denmark for four years and he’s been back with us for the last six months.

“He is an absolute character around the house.”

This year’s Crufts attracted dog lovers from all walks of life.

45 overseas countries were represented throughout the four-day show from March 6 to 9.

A number of celebrities also dropped by to sample the 122-year history of the competition.

They included TV personality Amanda Holden, former Eastenders actress Pam St Clement and 2012 Olympic long jump gold medallist Greg Rutherford.

A two-year-old Standard Poodle called Ricky from Preston was announced the overall winner of the famous dog show.

Judges decided he was a better all-rounder than Dan the Man, a Samoyed from Cambridgeshire.

A total of 22,000 dogs were entered into the competition. Ricky was was bred by Mike Gadsby and Jason Lynn and handled by Jason, who co-owns the dog.