A retired Essex Police dog who was hit by a car won an award at Crufts 2025. Baloo was given The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award after almost 120,000 votes were cast.

Freddie grew up with Penny, and they’ve been inseparable since. They entered the show ring at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham on Thursday.

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.

An Oxfordshire dog has won a popular crossbreed competition at Crufts. Lola, a one-year-old Whippet/Saluki/Collie cross owned by Bex Hall from Banbury, won the Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year title on Saturday,