Crufts' best in show won by poodle named Ricky

Ricky earned his place in the best-in-show ring by winning Crufts' utility dog category

A poodle named Ricky has been judged this year's best-in-show at Crufts.

The two-year-old standard poodle beat six other best-in-group winners in the final event of the annual competition, which had more than 21,000 entrants.

After the event at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, Ricky's handler Jason Lynn, from Preston in Lancashire, spoke of his pride, and said Ricky would now be retired.

A samoyed breed of dog named Dan the Man was runner-up on Sunday night.

Handler Jason Lynn said Ricky gave an "absolutely beautiful performance" in the final competition

Ricky was competing under his official name of Afterglow Maverick Sabre

Owner Sue Smith with samoyed Dan the Man who was named as the best-in-show runner-up

The annual four-day event features thousands of breeds, among them these English Setters

Competitors travel from around the world to take part in the show, which was first held in 1891