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 The BBC's John Brain"The undisputed champion"  real 28k  |
Terrier crowned at Crufts
Crufts champion Mike gets his paws on the silver
Champion Torums Scarf Michael, a three-year-old Kerry Blue terrier dog, has won the Best in Show at Crufts 2000.
The dog, known as Mike, beat off stiff competition from six other group winners and 20,000 other entrants at the event at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre.
The dog, known as Mike, beat off stiff competition from six other group winners and 20,000 other entrants at the event at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre.
He is the top terrier in the country  |
Ron Ramsay Owner |
The prestigious award was presented by
Prince Michael of Kent and Kennel Club chairman Peter James.
Owner Ron Ramsay from Tranmere, Merseyside said Mike had enjoyed a spectacular 12 months and would now retire while on top of the dog world.
He said: "Mike has a fabulous show record, particularly in the last 12 months.
"He has won five Best in Show and two Reserve Best in Show. He is the top terrier in the country.
"His show career has ended because he can't do more than he has done in the last nine months."
The Reserve Best in Show was a three-year-old cocker spaniel bitch called Show Champion Wiljana Waterfall, owned by Pamela Halkett, of Kirkintilloch, Glasgow.
End of an era
But the presentation of the show's first prize also brought to an end 109 years of history.
Quarantine laws have, with a few exceptions, always prevented foreign dog owners from entering the competition.
But this was the final year the event remains exclusively British as the government's relaxation of quarantine laws now allows animals with "pet passports" to enter from overseas.
The move has prompted some concerns from dog owners but The Kennel Club, which organises the competition, says it will mean a bigger and better competition next year.
Kennel Club spokeswoman Caroline Kisko said: "We are very excited by the possibilities that the recent relaxation of quarantine will provide.
"We envisage a record entry for Crufts 2001 as we know that many overseas competitors will want to challenge the best dogs on the planet."
Owner Ron Ramsay from Tranmere, Merseyside said Mike had enjoyed a spectacular 12 months and would now retire while on top of the dog world.
He said: "Mike has a fabulous show record, particularly in the last 12 months.
"He has won five Best in Show and two Reserve Best in Show. He is the top terrier in the country.
"His show career has ended because he can't do more than he has done in the last nine months."
The Reserve Best in Show was a three-year-old cocker spaniel bitch called Show Champion Wiljana Waterfall, owned by Pamela Halkett, of Kirkintilloch, Glasgow.
End of an era
But the presentation of the show's first prize also brought to an end 109 years of history.
Quarantine laws have, with a few exceptions, always prevented foreign dog owners from entering the competition.
But this was the final year the event remains exclusively British as the government's relaxation of quarantine laws now allows animals with "pet passports" to enter from overseas.
 It's all too much for Salsero Bonnie the Chihuahua
|
Kennel Club spokeswoman Caroline Kisko said: "We are very excited by the possibilities that the recent relaxation of quarantine will provide.
"We envisage a record entry for Crufts 2001 as we know that many overseas competitors will want to challenge the best dogs on the planet."
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