Dog from County Durham wins Best in Show at Crufts 2016

Devon the West Highland Terrier who has been named Best in Show at Crufts 2016 at the NEC, Birmingham.
Picture by: Joe Giddens / PA Wire/Press Association Images

A dog from County Durham has won a coveted award at this year’s Crufts. 

Geordie Girl Westie won the Best In Show award at the annual dog show.

The white Westie, known as Devon by her owner, is the first Westie to win in 26 years.

Devon, who is nearly two years old, beat off competition from six other dogs in the final to be crowned the overall Crufts winner.

The champion dog’s owner Marie Burns said she knew Devon was special from an early age.

She told presenter Clare Balding she had said to a friend when the puppy was just eight or nine weeks old: “I think I’ve got the nicest Westie I’ve ever bred here.”

Devon’s owner, Marie Burns, from County Durham said: “To win Best In Show at Crufts is absolutely amazing.”

Ant and Dec tweeted their congratulations to the winner.

They also described the young dog as “a belter.”

Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: “This has been a fantastic year and a wonderful final, and it’s clear to see why, for 125 year Crufts has been one of the major British events.”

Hazel the Whippet was the runner-up, alongside her owner Charlie Donaldson from Middlebie, Dumfriesshire.

The 19-year-old, the youngest handler in Best In Show, said: “Words can’t describe how much this means. I’m so proud.”

More than 22,000 dogs took part in the four-day event at the NEC in Birmingham as the competition celebrated its 125th year.

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