Crufts joy for top dog Freya

Christine Ogle, of Stainton Lane, Maltby, saw her five-year-old large Munsterlander Freya scoop the Best of Breed award.

Five-year-old Freya was one of almost 22,000 dogs who took part in the 125th annual show at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre.

Christine said: “It was very competitive so to win is really rewarding.

“It has been such a good day. It couldn’t have been any better. This is the top dog show in the world.

“We love Crufts. We have been coming for 40 years in a row so to win now that the competition is even harder really means a great deal.”

Meanwhile, youngster Cohen Hadfield’s four-legged companion did him proud when he made it through to the final of the Kennel Club’s Eukanuba Friends for Life award.

As well as autism, seven-year-old Cohen has global developmental delay, a hearing impairment and epilepsy.

His condition meant he used to feel anxious and didn’t want to speak to family or friends.

But when autism assistance dog Azerley arrived in August 2014, his life was transformed.

The Maltby Hilltop School pupil grew in confidence and began interacting with the world around him, thanks to the bond he had with the new addition to the Hadfield family.

Golden labrador Azerley, who joined Cohen, brother Joshua (12), mum Sarah (34) and dad Chris (35) in their Kilnhurst home, took to the arena floor on Sunday night.

Sarah said: “From the first day we had Azerley, the difference has been incredible.

“Cohen is a lot calmer and more engaged and his school has noticed a big change too.”

Azerley, Sarah and Joshua made the trip to the NEC on Sunday.

Sarah said: “Although we didn’t win we had an absolutely fantastic time.

“When we went into the arena it was just an amazing experience and Joshua loved it."