Breeders' pride as Lizzie beats 52 contenders to win Crufts toy dog title

A PAIR of dog breeders from Derbyshire have shown they are not "wagging" behind the competition after scooping a top award at the world's biggest canine show, Crufts.

Nick Gourley and Andrew Leonard said they were delighted when they heard bitch Lizzie was named best of breed in the toy dog category.

GOOD PEDIGREE: Nick Gourley, 42, from Ashbourne, with Lizzie the English toy terrier – whose pedigree name is Champion Witchstone Telling Tails – which won best of breed in the toy dog category at DFS Crufts. Nick and co-breeder Andrew Leonard were delighted.

The four-and-a-half-year-old English toy terrier – whose pedigree name is Champion Witchstone Telling Tails – beat competition from 52 other dogs to scoop the prestigious award.

Nick, 42, from Ashbourne, who is managing director at a recruitment consultancy, said: "Lizzie is a wonderful show dog and has a great temperament.

"DFS Crufts is the biggest dog show in the world so to be named best of breed is fantastic."

Nick and Andrew have been breeding dogs for more than 10 years and have had a huge amount of success.

For the past three years they have shown toy dogs that have won best of breed.

They currently have nine dogs – eight English toy terriers and a Manchester terrier. Nick said: "Lizzie's father and grandfather have both won best of breed in the past so she is from great stock.

"We will be treating her to a long walk as a way of saying well done for winning."

Nick and Andrew were not the only breeders from the area to have left Crufts with rosettes.

Gordon Drummond, an HGV driver from Castle Donington, also succeeded on the green carpet at Crufts with nine-month-old French bulldog Mia.

The pair claimed the best French bulldog puppy award and Gordon was delighted at the win.

He said: "Mia is a great little puppy. She is a lot of fun and has a lovely personality.

"Crufts is a fantastic show.

"I come every year and the best thing about it is you get to meet friends from all over the world in one place.

"It is, of course, extra special when you win something here because everyone wants to win."

More than 145,000 visitors flocked to the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham for the event, which is now in its 66th year.

Some 22,000 dogs from 187 breeds and 35 countries took part in the four-day show.

Angel, a Doberman pinscher owned by Dawn Banton, of Derby, was named best of breed in the working dog category.

Dawn said: "She is my life. I live and breathe for her every day and she pays me back by being beautiful.