The spotlight fell on the American cocker spaniel breed on Sunday night after two-year-old Miami was crowned Best in Show at Crufts 2017.

After a close final at Birmingham’s NEC, the famous winner’s trophy went the way of Miami, shown by co-owner Jason Lynn of Preston, while the Reserve Best in Show was miniature poodle Frankie, owned by Blackburn’s Melanie Harwood.

Miami saw off competition from more than 22,000 happy, healthy dogs at the world’s largest dog show to first be crowned best gundog on Saturday before taking the coveted prize 24 hours later, despite only being entered at a handful of competitions previously.

It was also a second Best in Show success for 37-year-old Mr Lynn, of Moss House Lane, after he previously picked up the trophy in 2014 with standard poodle Ricky – in the process becoming the first multiple Best in Show winner since the achievements of Jackie Lorimer in 1999 and 1993.

"He’s shocked and stunned all of us,” said Mr Lynn.

"I’m shocked, not because I’m surprised that he’s a fantastic dog, but surprised because he's hardly been shown.

"He’s only young, and he’s only been to a few shows ever, so when we entered here, we never imagined in a million years we’d be sitting here as winners. It’s just a dream come true.

"In 2014 we had the honour of winning the best in show with another dog we bred – he was standard poodle called Ricky, and that was his final show.

"I never thought at that point that I would have another dog capable of doing a tremendous feat, but here I am.

"Ricky was very seasoned and established as a show dog, whereas Miami is very new to all this. We entered without many expectations.

"Crufts is the world biggest show – in our world of dog showing it’s the ultimate achievement – I’ve been very lucky to have this great opportunity and have two dogs like Miami and Ricky that allowed me to do such a thing."

Self-employed Miss Harwood, who runs Ribble Valley Kennels off Showley Road, meanwhile was still in shock at her achievements with Frankie.

The two-year-old had been crowned best utility group dog on Friday before returning to the main arena for the grand final on Sunday to finish second.

"I’m totally in shock! To be reserve best in show out of 20,000 dogs at Crufts is just wonderful,” said 33-year-old Miss Harwood.

"I’m absolutely speechless. That was fabulous line-up for best in show and to be chosen as reserve to a beautiful American Cocker Spaniel – I couldn’t be more proud of him.

"I couldn’t believe the judge was walking towards me. It was electric in there, it was a wonderful atmosphere and the crowds really got behind every single dog – and he was loving the attention.

"He is such a fun-loving dog – he’s so crazy, he loves life, he loves being stupid and he loves showing off to people, which is what he did tonight.

"I’ve been coming to Crufts for a long, long time, since I was baby in cot. It’s just a unique show – there’s only one show like this in the year and it’s got such a lovely atmosphere to it. 

"We're both from Lancashire, and we live within half an hour of each other, it’s crazy! And it’s great for the north west."