Jilly fetches Best in Show title at Crufts

Published on 11/03/2013 00:50

A BOYHOOD dream came true for owner Gavin Robertson after his dog lifted the Best in Show crown at Crufts.

Mr Robertson, breeder of
basset griffon vendeen Jilly, said he had been attending the dog show since he was young and had always wanted to win.

Mr Robertson, from Wallingford in Oxfordshire, beat more than 20,000 dogs over the four-day contest to take the coveted title at the NEC in Birmingham.

Four-year-old Jilly won Best Hound and then went on to be pronounced Best in Show after four days of competition.

“I’m completely floating on air. It’s just a wonderful, wonderful feeling. I didn’t think I’d actually ever be sat next to this trophy. So, yes, fantastic,” Mr Robertson said.

“I can’t express it. I’ve thought about this since I was a little boy.

“I just wanted her to enjoy the whole occasion,” he said. “It’s her last show. I’d already decided months ago that I would retire her no matter what she got
so it’s fantastic, you couldn’t ask for a script like that. What a way to stop.”