Dog who gave mum 'new lease of life' wins at Crufts

A one-year-old whippet-saluki-collie cross who gave her owner "a new lease of life" after a difficult childbirth has claimed a top award at Crufts.

Lola, owned by Bex Hall, from Banbury in Oxfordshire, won the Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year title.

Ms Hall said the dog had given her a "new lease of life" when she was in a "bit of a bad place" after giving birth.

Hundreds of dogs competed in qualifying heats around the country this year, with the shortlisted dogs and their owners taking part in the semi-finals and final at Crufts on Saturday.

The finalists were judged by actress and Hits Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and dog judge Glenn Davies.

The pair were looking for qualities such as good character, health and temperament with people and other dogs.

Ms Atkinson said: "They've all got such lovely back stories, they've all changed their owners' lives in some remarkable way.

"Bex had a very traumatic childbirth, which I also did and I know how that feels.

"She said little Lola brought her back to life, so I think the fact that she is there helping her be a better mum, it's like a full circle for them all.

"It's a lovely little family."

Ms Hall said she was "so proud" of her dog.

"I was absolutely overwhelmed with happiness.

"It's a really big thing for me to win. It's something that we've been looking forward to for a good six weeks so it's really overwhelming.

"Lola came at a time where I was in a bit of a bad place," she said. "I'd had a really bad birth with my baby, I'd shut down and I wouldn't really go out.

"But me and Lola have now done so many things together and she's just given me a new lease of life.

"[Owning Lola] made me get out of the house; we met new people. I got a little bit of me back, a bit of my life back."

The Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year competition is run by The Kennel Club and recognises dogs whose parents are of two different breeds or a mixture of several breeds.

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