A West Derby dog owner broke a three-decade duck by claiming his first Best of Breed prize at Crufts.

Dave Bennett, 60, took top spot with two-year-old Boston Terrier Ted to qualifying for the Best in Group final for the first time.

Bennett has had plenty of success at other dog shows but has now tasted victory on the famous green carpet.

“I am absolutely over the moon,” he said. “I have been coming to Crufts for over 30 years and this is my first time in the group. 

“He got his sixth ticket today, I am over the moon for him. He is a family pet as well, I only have the one dog.

“I have judged Crufts myself in 2017 but this is my first time in the group. I have won best of breed at other shows but not Crufts so it’s special.”

There was also success for fellow Liverpudlian Chris Amoo, who shone with Irish Wolfhound Paris to qualify for the Best in Show final.

Amoo, who is also frontman for The Real Thing, was a firm fans’ favourite in Birmingham but eventually lost out in the showpiece on Sunday evening.

“It means everything,” said Amoo. “It's the greatest dog show in the world and just to be able to win a group here is, beyond most people's dreams, so it's fantastic. 

“Most people are aware of my musical background, I remember our first dog show, I think we were number five in the charts, so they must know by now. 

“The crowd reaction was lovely, it gets him going. That's the thing, when he hears all the people clapping and shouting, he puts his head up and he just wants to go, it’s great.”

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 long 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. 

“It’s amazing you can’t ask for more,” added Lucin. “She is a natural talent, she loves it so much. 

“When she enters the ring, you can see she really loves it and that’s the reason why she has always done well. 

“This is the most beautiful ending that we could ever imagine.”