Christchurch family ‘thrilled’ after their English toy terrier Barney, showed by Kirk Dennison, scoops Best in Breed at Crufts

A Christchurch family are thrilled after their beloved English toy terrier scooped Best in Breed at Crufts.

Barney was picked by judges at the world’s most prestigious dog show as the perfect example of the terrier type.

Owner Kirk Dennison, who showed Barney, said: “We are absolutely thrilled and still in shock, to be honest. We didn’t expect it at all.

“It was our third time going to Crufts and he has won a few categories before, but to get Best in Breed is just amazing.”

English toy terriers are classed by the Kennel Club as a vulnerable breed, with only around 100 puppies born a year.

Kirk said: “It is one of the reasons we got Barney as they are dying out as a breed and we want to keep them going. He is, first and foremost, a family pet and is fantastic with our children.

“We only started taking him to competitions as a bit of fun in the beginning.

“Barney had done well at previous Crufts shows, coming first in his respective class, but never won Best of Breed at Crufts, so to take first was just wonderful.”

To date Barney has nine Kennel Club challenge certificates and four Best of Breed awards at championship shows.

The show, held last weekend at the NEC Birmingham, attracts thousands of dogs from all over the UK.

Barney was bred by Zoe Phillips from Winchester who runs Ettology and was at Crufts to see Barney triumph.

She told the A&T: ”Barney and Kirk are such a brilliant team, they fill me with joy. They won Best of Breed in a very large group of 82 dogs this year; they represented the breed twice in the 'big ring', first in the Vulnerable Breeds final and then as Best of Breed.

“This is a huge achievement as Barney is Kirk’s first show dog, he has taken a dog from a small kennel, competed with the best and won under his own merit; Kirk and Barney are such great characters both.

“It just goes to show what hard work and dedication can achieve.”

Zoe added: “He is also shining a light on these charming little dogs, and they need all the help they can get. These beautiful characters are on the vulnerable native breed list and in much need of owners just like Kirk.”