The Secret of Crufts' success - fresh air and six acres to run about in

But the owner and breeder of the Scottish winner of the most prestigious award in the dog world say that the key to success can be as simple as a little fresh air.

Jet the flat-coated retriever won the Best in Show award at Crufts on Sunday, beating 21,000 other dogs in the process. He was described by organisers as "a joy to watch" after being presented with the prestigious award at the climax of the 120th anniversary show.

Jim Irvine, Jet's breeder, says it was an upbringing in Perthshire and a friendly personality rather than intense training programmes that has led to the dog competing successfully at the highest level.

"The lifestyle and the personality are the secret," he said. "To still have the drive to compete at the highest level of competition in the UK at nine-and-a-half is incredible. There's nothing higher that Crufts, it's the ultimate prize in the world.

"He is a dog that takes everything in his stride. He has a lovely personality."

Crufts has previously incurred the wrath of animal rights activists for some of the breeds featured in the show. The RSPCA said in 2009 that not enough was being done to protect the health and welfare of the animals involved.

Jet, however, suffers from no such problems. He lives in the fields of Glenfarg with owner Iain Ross and has the freedom of vast grounds.

"We have six acres of land which is fenced for Jet," Mr Ross explained. "When he goes out in the morning, he stays out until he wants to come back. He roams with the peacocks and geese who he gets on with and he sleeps at the bottom of my bed. It's very beneficial - it gives him freedom."

Mr Ross was given the dog after the death of his father who had co-owned Jet with Mr Irvine. He was entered into his first competition after six months, gradually growing in competitive potential and winning his first certificate in 2004. Within a year, Jet was a champion dog after being presented with three competition certificates by different judges.

Mr Irvine believes regularly taking part in competitions, rather than a constant training timetable, has turned Jet into a prize-winning dog.

"I trained him as a puppy but after a year there wasn't as much," he said. "We take him for a little run before going into the show ring - it allows him to loosen up a bit. But the performance has come with age.

"He is kept in condition throughout the year and is an excellent specimen of the breed, far beyond our expectations."

Jet is groomed based on the show calendar, with Mr Irvine travelling to Glenfarg every fortnight. He spends about 90 minutes on his coat, paying particular attention to his ears and feet. He is kept on a strict two meals a day diet, being fed a mixture of meat and dry food, but rarely receives supplements.

Mr Irvine added: "Sometimes we use them when Jet's coat needs it, but not normally."

A spokesperson for the Kennel Club, which organises the show, said: "Jim and Jet were a pleasure to watch and certainly have a great relationship." From next year, new rules mean certain dogs will need a clean bill of health from a vet before awards are confirmed.

LONG HISTORY

Crufts was held for the first time in 1891, with the Best in Show running for the past 83 years.

Previous Scots winners of the top title include the Pekingese Danny, pictured with his owner, Bert Easdon, from Glasgow, who described winning the award in 2003 as "a feeling you can't imagine".

In 2008, a BBC documentary claimed that breeding processes used to produce pedigree dogs had caused high levels of genetic diseases, leading to dog-food maker Pedigree dropping its sponsorship.

The same year, the corporation stopped covering the show.