GILLY has proved success runs in the family when it comes to being top dog.

Not content after missing out on a spot in last year’s Cruft’s Best in Show, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen proved every dog does have its day.

The 20-month-old not only won best of breed and best in group for hounds, but also made it into the coveted round to choose Crufts’ top dog. And, much to the delight of owners Gavin and Sara Robertson, she finished second. Mr Robertson, who runs Avalon Kennels in Old Icknield Way, near Benson, couldn’t hide his delight at Gilly’s efforts on the 120th anniversary of the world-famous Crufts.

He said: “Gilly loves the attention, and she’s such a happy and talented dog – and she’s the double of her mother Dizzy.

“Success runs in the family, Dizzy won best of breed last year and her father Cappuccino won the year before.

“So it is a fantastic achievement for her to continue the trend.

“But to go another step further and finish second overall is something we could never have expected, so we’re both so happy.”

Mr Robertson said Gilly beat 80 competitors in best of breed to make it into the arena for best in show.

She eventually finished second overall behind flat-coated retriever Jet at Birmingham’s NEC.

The Robertson’s were not the only local success story, with Garsington teenager Hollie Kavanagh and her four-year-old Dobermann Dermut winning in the Young Kennel Club ring.

Hollie, 16, a pupil at Wheatley Park School who lives in Oxford Road, won the prestigious working 12- to 16-year-old handling event.

She said: “I have been doing Crufts for about six years and Dermut and I won this event last year, and won the national handling competition. Dermut is lovely to live with. He has a great personality and a great temperament, which makes him perfect for handling.

“It is great to keep the championship, I was hoping we would be able to and it went really well.

“I felt about 95 per cent certain we had won it. But it is always nice to hear your name read out.”

Meanwhile, Larry Wilkes, from Woodstock, won the best of breed award with German Long-Haired Pointer Elko and Betty Judge, from Faringdon, picked up the same prize with Portuguese Podengo Joker.