Top dog Maisie has her day by winning Crufts

TROPHY: Best in Show title awarded to wire-haired dachshund which then did its business while going round the ring

The owner of this year’s winning dog could barely contain her joy as the curtain was drawn on another year of Crufts last night at the NEC in Birmingham.

After a dramatic pause, Best in Show judge Ann Mcdonald told the crowd and audiences watching at home that wirehaired dachshund Maisie was the overall winner in 2020.

Maisie’s owner Kim Mcclamont tightly hugged the pooch and kissed her as she lifted her four-legged friend on to the podium and popped her down next to the trophy.

The triumph makes two-year-old Maisie the 89th dog to be crowned Best in Show.

Ms Mcclamont was laughing in disbelief as Maisie did her business on the green turf as she made her way round the ring.

Ms Mcclamont told co-presenter Clare Balding that Maisie would be allowed to sleep on the bed tonight after the big win.

Reserve went to miniature poodle Frankie, in what was his second time winning that title.

Other highlights of this year’s show included rescue dog Kratu, seemingly preferring a game of fetch with himself.

While struggling with going through a tunnel, Kratu grabbed a pole he was supposed to jump over and ran away with it.

Last year, Kratu enamoured audiences by wandering off course during the agility round.

It was the third year for Kratu taking part in rescue dogs’ agility, a noncompetitive event which allows dogs to take as much time as they need.

Also causing a scene during agility was Jack Russell Fergus, whose mind appeared to be elsewhere.

The tiny pooch became fixated with his owner’s back pocket and the toy chicken inside.

After successfully completing the jumps, weaving and tunnels, Fergus was reunited with his chicken and had a great time throwing it around the ring.

The Best in Show contest was whittled down to seven dogs across seven breed classes with Maisie – known as Ch Silvae Trademark – crowned the winner as well as claiming the top hound category.

Television presenter and actor Peter Purves described the dachshund as “gorgeous” as he presented Maisie and Ms Mccalmont, from Gloucestershire, with the Best in Show silver cup.

Pixie, known as Indian Princess At Perrisblu, a Kerry blue terrier, won the terrier competition.

Around 26,000 dogs took part, including more than 3,000 from abroad.