Young champ and four-legged friend make history at Crufts

Antonia Leech and Scooby

By Amanda Devlin
Published on 23/03/2013 17:00

A teenager made history at this year’s Crufts competition and fulfilled a lifetime dream when she stole the show with her beloved pooch.

Antonia Leech became the youngest ever owner and also handler of the breed to make up a champion when she won a place in the Hound Group Finals in the Best In Show ring.

The 15-year-old schoolgirl handled her Basset Fauve de Bretagne (show name Hibeck Scooby Doo with Soletrader) to win Best of Breed. Scooby was also the youngest dog in the breed to become a champion.

Antonia, of Great Brickhill, who is one of the top junior handlers in the country and has been showing dogs since she was nine, said: “I was really excited about Crufts, as I so wanted to make Scooby up to be a champion.

“He already had two Challenge Certificates, and needed the magical third to become a champion.

“He showed and moved really well for me, and I just jumped for joy when the judge pointed at me and awarded him the Best Dog Challenge Certificate. We’d done it... and what a place to do it at – Crufts!

“I was ecstatic when the judge came over to me and congratulated me and gave me a big hug.

“My mum Jacqui said she couldn’t watch, and was hiding behind one of the benches.

“But when she heard a big roar and lots of cheering she knew that Scooby and I had won Best of Breed and would go on to represent the Fauves in the Hound Group final.”

Antonia, who co-owns Scooby with Sara Robertson, said “Scooby showed his little paws off. I’m so proud of him – even though he raids the larder and loves rolling in anything smelly, I can forgive him anything, he’s my special little champion.”

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Young champ and four-legged friend make history at Crufts

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