Crufts: Viking crowned best in show

Three-year-old Viking from Solihull beat 24,000 dogs from around the world to claim the show's top honour

An Australian shepherd called Viking has been crowned best in show at the 2024 Crufts dog show at the NEC in Birmingham.

The three-year-old from Solihull beat 24,000 dogs from around the world to claim the show's top honour on Sunday.

Viking, co-owned by Melanie Raymond, John Shaw and Kerry Kirtley, was the winner of the pastoral group earlier in the four-day show.

Ms Raymond, a third generation dog breeder who lives just three miles from the showground, said: "We all dream of winning best in show at Crufts."

Asked if he lived up to expectation, she said: "He did actually, I should never doubt him because he always gives me everything and you come in and he's like 'yep, come on let's do this'.

"So he loves every minute of it."

Ms Raymond said Viking loved "every moment of it"

Despite the breed's name, dog welfare and training body The Kennel Club said they were developed in the USA as sheepdogs to work on ranches.

It said they were "very successful in the show ring" because of their "attractive colours and athletic movements".

A nine-year-old Jack Russell terrier named Zen, from Japan, who earlier won the terrier group, was named reserve dog.

Protesters were removed from the arena during the last day of Crufts on Sunday.

Animal rights group Peta said a "supporter holding a sign reading Boycott Breeders attempted to storm the arena floor before the winner was announced" and activists also unfurled a banner in the stands among the audience with the same message.

Peta has been a long-standing critic of Crufts, claiming the event promotes the breeding of disabled animals and that it exacerbates the homeless dog crisis.

The Kennel Club said the Australian shepherd breed was accomplished in the show ring due to its colours and movement

A spokesman for The Kennel Club said: "There was a protest incident involving Peta at Crufts and they were swiftly removed to ensure the safety and welfare of the dogs and owners, who are our main priority.

"Far from perpetuating the homeless dog crisis as Peta claims, Crufts is a unique platform which educates millions of visitors, and viewers on Channel 4, about how to get the right dog for your lifestyle, so that all dogs, whether rescue dogs or puppies, have a home for life."

He said Crufts had celebrated hundreds of rescue dogs this year, as well as having an area dedicated to rescue dogs.

The Kennel Club added that Crufts had a Discover Dogs zone to help would-be owners find the right puppy for them and encourage them to "make responsible choices about this life-long decision".

"We are at the forefront of improving dog health and invest in research, develop health tests and educate breeders," the spokesperson added.