Ipswich dog owner claims coveted Best in Breed prize at Crufts 2023

A Suffolk dog owner claimed a coveted Best in Breed prize at Crufts.

Mary-Kate Ingram, of Ipswich, and Stan, her smooth coat Chihuahua, wowed the judges at the competition that was held at NEC Birmingham last week.

They held off competition to qualify for the Best in Group showpiece on the famous green carpet, but were unable to go all the way as a Lagotto Romagnolo named Orca took the overall Best in Show place.

Hailing from Croatia, Orca's owners Javier Gonzalez Mendikote and Ante Lucin had travelled for 25 hours across Europe in order to compete.

Gonzalez Mendikote said: “It was always a dream and today it has come true. Winning the group on the first day you have a lot of time to think, but when we entered we thought it could be the last time to win Best in Show so we thought let’s enjoy it.”

Ante Lucin said: “It’s amazing and you can’t ask for more. She is a natural talent, she loves it so much. When she enters the ring, you can see she really loves it and that’s the reason why she has always done well. This is the most beautiful ending that we could ever imagine.”

Crufts 2023, hailed as the greatest dog show in the world, took place between the 9th and the 12th March 2023.