Win for Warrington owner in Crufts dog show (From This Is Cheshire)

Win for Warrington owner in Crufts dog show

10:22am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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A CHAMPION Harlequin great dane quashed the claim that good things come in small packages by securing two awards at Crufts dog show.

Champion Ravendane American Pye, known as Elmo to his owner Joanne Walton, walked away from the event in Birmingham, on Thursday, with awards for best of breed and best dog.

The five-year-old great dane has made history by being the first of its breed born by artificial insemination to triumph at such an event.

Joanne, of Arley Road, Appleton Thorn, said: “The judge obviously knew what he was looking for. He was an old time judge and a breed specialist. He knew Elmo excels in his size and his markings. He is so black and white.

“We received certificates for winning. It is more of a status thing, it gives prestige and puts me in the history books.”

Joanne said the competition involved all year round preparation, which included keeping him clean, exercising him, keeping his teeth clean and giving him a good diet.

Breeding dogs was in the 44-year-old’s blood after growing up on her mum’s Arabian stud farm.

She said she wanted a big dog which was good with horses and bought her first dane Steel Blue Knight in 1979 - she has been hooked ever since.