Top dog hoping to go down a Storm in America

William and wife Amanda Dobbin’s Newfoundland Storm is set to become the first dog from Northern Ireland to represent the UK at the highly prestigious AKC/Eukanuba Championships at Long Beach in the American state.

Over the past year, 25 shows were held throughout the UK with the winner of each event going head-to-head to be crowned top dog.

Each show lasted an average of four days with the entrants all under the microscope from animal experts.

Storm - who will be five years old next week - was picked by the judges as among the best Britain has to offer and is tipped to give the world’s best a run for their money at the all-expenses paid show.

The lovable Newfoundland is also a reigning Irish, English and Danish champion and has won events at Crufts in the past.

The glamour event attracts enthusiasts from all over the world who will bring with them a vast array of breeds to compete.

It is the highlight of three decades of breeding and showing dogs for William and Amanda, who run Brooklynbear Newfoundland Kennels.

The Kilmandil Road couple say they are delighted to be taking part in the show:

“This is the absolute pinnacle for those who show dogs and is personally my biggest achievement yet,” said William.

“Very few people get this sort of opportunity.

“We are the first to represent the UK from Ireland and Storm is the first Newfoundland to represent the UK at the Worlds.”

The annual event has a top prize of $50,000.

Asked what he would do with the money, dog-loving William said he would invest it into the keeping of the animals.

Storm - who has his own special dog passport - and William will be competing in Long Island on December 4 and 5.

We’ll be keeping our paws crossed for the pair next month...