Poodle Ricky trots off with UK top dog prize

Ricky the poodle wins Best in Show award at Britain's Crufts festival.

Jason Lynn with Ricky the Standard Poodle, as they celebrate winning the Best in Show category of Crufts 2013 during the final day at Crufts Dog Show on March 9, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of Best in Show. Matt Cardy / Getty Images

Mar 10, 2014

A two-year-old poodle called Ricky on Sunday won the Best in Show award at Britain’s Crufts festival, the world’s largest annual dog show that this year attracted more than 21,000 entrants.

Ricky, from Preston in north-west England, will now retire from UK competitions, his owner revealed.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” Jason Lynn said after his triumph at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre.

“He gave an absolutely beautiful performance and I am so proud of him.

“He was top dog all breeds last year and we decided that this would be his last show — and he has ended it in the most wonderful way possible.”

The poodle fought off competition from a Pomeranian, a wire fox terrier, an Irish Wolfhound, a Samoyed, a Rottweiler and an American Cocker Spaniel in the final round of competition.

The show celebrates its 123rd anniversary this year.

*jwp/rmb