A Bristol dog signed off in style by grabbing Best in Breed glory at Crufts before departing for Australia.

Four-year-old Schnauzer Arthur, handled by Isaac Preddy, impressed the judges in Birmingham to take top spot and qualify for the Best in Group stage at the NEC.

It was the perfect way for him to finish his career in Britain before he jets off Down Under to put Schnauzer’s on the antipodean map.

“It was incredible, amazing,” said Preddy. “I have shown at Crufts a few times before but never got this far. 

“I was nervous because it is his last show in the UK so we really wanted to do well. 

“He is going out to Australia to really get the breed going out there and fly the flag for the breed. 

“He is a stunning example, and he will do amazing.”

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.” 

And elsewhere there was an extra sprinkling of star quality on the famous green carpet, as The Real Thing frontman Chris Amoo became a firm fans’ favourite with Irish Wolfhound Paris as they earned Best in Group in the Hound group.

“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.”