A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel from Essex made it all the way to the Best in Show final at Crufts.

Dublin, who is owned by Tanya Ireland from Mayland, was crowned winner of the Toy Group at the world’s greatest dog show.

A delighted Ireland highlighted the group win at Crufts as her crowning achievement as she also reflected on the journey that the dynamic duo had been on.

She said: “I'm extremely proud, a lot of work has gone into getting to this point because he is actually an American dog.

“So, I flew his mum over to America, mated her over there, brought her back and a lot of the people who were part of that are here today, so it means so much.

“As the judge walked towards me to announce us as the winner, I thought is she really coming to me? I couldn’t believe it.

“There was some very strong competition in the Toy Group but I was just trying not to look at them. 

 “This is the top achievement I have ever had, you can’t get better than this, it is what we work all year for.”

Away from the ring, Dublin is a loveable companion for Ireland who has previously won best in group in 2013.

She added: “Out of the ring, he is just what is he like in the ring, he's just laidback, chilled out, he loves life. 

“He's a typical Cavalier and that's how they should be. They should just love life and he does. I wouldn't change a hair on his body.”

The overall prize went to four-year-old Lagotto Romagnolo Orca and owners Javier Gonzalez Mendikote and Ante Lucin.  

The trio travelled for 25 hours from Croatia to Birmingham in order to compete, but the journey was more than worth it after taking home the ultimate accolade.  

“It was always a dream and today it has come true,” said Gonzalez Mendikote.  

“Winning the group on the first day you have a lot of time to think, but when we entered, we thought it could be the last time to win Best in Show so we thought let’s enjoy it.”