Six mongrels sniffing out prizes

EVERYONE loves to root for the underdog – and here are six of the finest.

They beat 1,400 pups in different categories to reach the final of Scruffts, a celebration of crossbreeds.

And at Crufts on Saturday at Birmingham NEC, they will go head to head for the overall best mutt crown.

Vinny is hoping to be top dog after winning in the golden oldie category. He was born in 2004 after the Jack Russell owned by Sarah Atkins, 23, got pregnant by a dog on her estate.

Sarah, 23, of Bedworth, Warks, said: “We’re so happy to be in the final.”

Runt pug- beagle cross Bonnie turned 12-year-old Grace Mead’s life around.

Before she got Bonnie, Grace, of Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, felt lonely, as her dad worked away. The pup won the child’s best friend OUR vet Brian Faulkner, from Petplan, has 16 years of experience and is a freelance working all over the country. Send your questions to Brian at: Petplan, Great West House, Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9DX or via Petplan’s Facebook page facebook.com/ PetplanUK. award. Joshua King, 14, of Prestatyn, Denbighs, begged his mum for a dog and got German shepherd-border collie cross Biscuit in 2014. They enter Kennel Club contests and were top in the good citizen scheme category.

It was love at first sight for Judy Rigby and cavalierpoodle-bichon cross Ginny.

One-year-old Ginny, was the “prettiest bitch” winner. Judy, 44, of Stockport, Gtr Manchester, said: “She’s so unusual looking and gets stopped wherever we go.”

Monique Newman, 50, rescued King Tommy, in India. The dog had had boiling water thrown on him. Monique, of Totnes, Devon, won for “handsomest dog”.

Best rescue dog, Fleur, had been barbarically spayed in Bucharest. The border collie cross had a one per cent chance of survival. Wendy Morris, 48, of Ropley, Hants, who adopted her, said: “I’m so emotional that Fleur has come so far.” MY cat seems to continually swish her tail when she is lying down or sleeping. Is there a health reason for this?