A SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE dog has continued an impressive award-winning streak after being named Best in Show at a prestigious festival.

‘Magic Mike’, part owned by Wallingford-based Sara Robertson, was top dog again at the West of England Ladies’ Kennel Society’s (WELKS) championship dog show in Malvern, Worcestershire.

The three-year-old Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, whose official name is Champion Soletrader Magic Mike, beat 8,615 other dogs to claim the title at one of the UK’s largest dog shows late last month.

The success follows Mike’s Best in Show win at the Manchester championship show in Stafford in January and has helped secure his position as one of the UK’s top show dogs, according to the Kennel Club.

He was handled to both victories by Mrs Robertson who has competed at dog shows since childhood.

She said: “WELKS must be a lucky show for us as Mike won Reserve Best in Show last year. The final line-up was super and it was an absolute thrill to win under such respected judges."

Husband Gavin is no stranger to success, as he handled Mike’s mother Jilly to Best in Show at Crufts in 2013.

Mrs Robertson continued: “The win was made even more special as our children (Oliver, 11, and Erin, eight,) were there to celebrate with us.”

Mike is also part owned by Wendy Doherty of Ontario, Canada.

The Kennel Club, a dog charity which recognises 221 breeds of pedigree dog, said Mike’s breed was generally ‘active, happy, independent and willing to please’.

It added: “The rough-coated Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen – usually referred to as PBGV – was originally bred to trail hare in the bramble-filled terrain of the Vendée district of France.

“Care must be taken to exercise them only in enclosed spaces or on a lead, as otherwise, being a pack animal, they may run away.”