A one-eyed rescue dog and a three-legged mongrel proved you do not need a perfect pedigree to be top dog when they wowed the crowds at Crufts last week, performing amazing feats of agility in front of hundreds of admiring fans.

Dudley and Douglas, both rescued by The Blue Cross, one of the UK’s leading animal charities, have proved that disability is no barrier to success in the show arena.

A casual observer might doubt that five-year-old pug / lhasa aspo cross Dudley was built for speed, standing at less than a foot tall with his snub nose, long hair and one eye.

But along with three-legged Douglas, the 11-year-old greyhound-Staffie cross, he will be weaving through poles and hurtling over jumps at the world’s most famous dog show in an eye-popping display of triumph over adversity.

Dudley’s owner Lara Alford, deputy manager of The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Southampton, said:“Dudley is hardly the most athletic of dogs and when you see him curled up snoring loudly, you’d never guess he loves racing around the course. But when I take him into the ring he just springs into action.

“When Dudley does agility, I become his second eye. I have to stick on his left side so he can see me all the time and follow my commands, otherwise it is like he is running around blind. It means we sometimes have to do the course the
opposite way round so he can see where I am but it certainly doesn’t slow him down.”

Dudley originally came into The Blue Cross, which has 12 adoption centres across the country, after being given up by two previous owners who did not have enough time for him.

He had suffered an infection before he was born which led to him developing one small eye which he could not see out of, so on veterinary advice it was removed when he was a puppy.

Douglas had a horrendous start in life after he was found limping and foraging on a rubbish tip in Ireland. He had been badly beaten and his leg was so damaged that it had to be amputated.

After being transferred to The Blue Cross he spent two years looking for a home before finally being adopted by owner Sarah Sheldrick from Hertfordshire. With plenty of tender loving care he has gone from being terrified of people and loud noises to working as a therapy dog in hospices and hospitals, and even becoming an active member and the official mascot for a Stevenage ‘Dogwatch’ scheme in partnership with Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Sarah said: “I’m incredibly honoured that Douglas was invited to take part in Crufts – it really does show the huge potential that rescue dogs have.There is so much these dogs can do if they’re only given the chance. Despite only having three legs, Douglas can jump over four feet without any problems and he certainly did us proud on the day.”

Douglas and Dudley performed as part of The Blue Cross rescue agility team in the main ring at the NEC in Birmingham on Thursday 10 March and Saturday 12 March.

The Blue Cross also ran an exhibition stand with more information and advice for Crufts visitors about adopting or looking after a pet.

The Blue Cross finds loving new homes for thousands of dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and small animals every year and is funded entirely by public donations.

To find out more or to make a donation, contact 0300 790 9903 or visit the website on www.bluecross.org.uk

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