A UTTOXETER dog handler and Ginger, a two-year-old Irish Terrier, proved every dog does have its day after walking away with a top prize at Crufts.
Ginger was one of over 25,000 dogs at Birmingham’s NEC, presented by the Kennel Club, which is celebrating 140 years of promoting healthy, happy dogs, and claimed the prestigious Best of Breed award last weekend.
Owner John Averis, of Saredon Terriers, fought off competition from a host of other dogs to scoop the coveted prize, before going on to finish third in the Best in Group voting for the Terrier category.
Mr Averis, 46, of Hook Lane, Crakemarsh, was left beaming with pride at his and Ginger’s performance at the world-famous Crufts.
“I have won Best of Breed a few times before with Irish Terriers but every time you win at Crufts it is a special moment,” he said.
“And this year I am really pleased to have made it third in the group, it is a great achievement for Ginger.
“Crufts is the one that everyone wants to win and the one competition that you really look forward to and work towards.
“I was hoping we would do well before hand but you never expect it.”
Mr Averis and Ginger have a legacy of success at both Crufts and many other Kennel Club competitions across the country and takes pride in representing Uttoxeter and the Lakeland Terrier breed.
Mr Averis runs Saredon Terriers with his mother Judy and David Scawthorn in Crakemarsh.
