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19
Mar
Owner returns home 'absolutely thrilled' following Crufts win
The owner of a Harrogate puppy that was named best in class at leading dog show Crufts this month has returned home with immense pride.
Damage the Leonberger won the puppy dog class in his breed at the famous dog show on March 9.
The 10-month-old, who goes by the pedigree name Kalizmar the Hitch Hiker, beat four other competitors to claim first in the class.
The Stray Ferret spoke to Damage’s owner, Cathy Burrell, who said:
I’m absolutely thrilled. To win at Crufts is amazing. It’s only the best in the class, but I’m still so proud.
Damage got plenty of treats afterwards! He always gets treats though – at the end of the day he is my pet above anything else.
Ms Burrell said she had a strong bond with Damage and that animals “really get under your skin".
But a freak garden accident almost derailed the puppy’s chances of competing:
He was at the vets three weeks before the event to get a stone removed. He’d been grazing in the garden and had swallowed a reasonably sized stone.
Luckily the vets were brilliant and had the stone removed with no problems. He was completely fine after that, but beforehand he was a pretty poorly pup!
Damage is also a registered therapy dog and regularly visits the Police Treatment Centre in Harrogate, where he provides comfort and support to serving and retired police officers and staff needing physical or mental rehabilitation.
The Leonberger has already qualified for next year’s event in the yearlings class. This is for dogs between 18 months and two years old.
Ms Burell explained how she got into dog showing:
I got my first dog 18 years ago. My brother used to show his rough collie and me and my mum were interested in doing the same thing, so we kind of learnt through him.
I’ve been to Crufts for quite a few years now and had a bit of success.
The trainer has previously entered a winner. Her mum’s dog, Puzzle, was also a Leonberger and won best veteran in breed in 2018.
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