A dog-lover and her pooch have won one of the biggest competitions in the UK for crossbreeds after travelling to London last weekend.

Louise Jacobs, who is 33 and lives in Old Heath, has three dogs – and now has the great pride of saying that one of them, 10-year-old Teddy, is one of the finest crossbreeds in Britain.

Gazette: National stage – Louise Jacobs with Teddy, who is over 60 years old in dog yearsNational stage – Louise Jacobs with Teddy, who is over 60 years old in dog years

A lhasa-apso crossbred with a bichon-frise, Teddy won first-prize in the Golden Oldie section at Scruffts, which is the equivalent of the renowned Crufts competition, but for crossbred dogs.

There is no breed standard for cross breeds as there is for pedigree dogs, meaning, unlike Crufts, the final result is based more heavily on the judge’s discretion.

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The competition, now in its 22nd year, took place on Saturday, March 12, at the National Exhibition Centre in London, with Crufts was taking place at the same time.

The Golden Oldie section saw judges make their final decision based on dogs who show good character, are in good health, and have a strong connection with their owner as well as a good temperament with other dogs.

As part of the preparations for the competition, Miss Jacobs took Teddy for a groom on the Thursday beforehand – but admitted she never expected her crossbreed to be crowned overall champion in the Golden Oldie category.

Gazette: Proud – Teddy pose with his Scruffts rosettes and glass trophyProud – Teddy pose with his Scruffts rosettes and glass trophy

She said: “I never thought Teddy would win – he was one of the younger dogs and I think the eldest was twelve and a half years old, but the other five dogs were in just as good health as Teddy, and you never know what the judge is going to place.

“I think Teddy is amazing, but I was always going to say that because he’s mine.

“I was really shocked when they read out mine and Teddy’s name as the winners.”

It was a long day for Miss Jacobs, who arrived at the National Exhibition Centre at 9.30am and didn’t leave until 7.30pm that evening.

“We were knackered by the end of the day – but we won a really nice glass trophy and some goodies from the sponsor, James Wellbeloved.”