The end of Crufts 2018 was cut short as the winner of ‘Best in Show’ – a whippet called Collooney Tartan Tease – was whipped to safety by its owner as a protester rushed the stage.
The whippet, owned by Mr and Mrs D G Short beat the six other group winners at Birmingham’s NEC arena from 21,000 dogs that entered the largest canine show in the world.
The Reserve Best in Show went to Kanix Chilli, a Pointer gundog owned by Miss H Blackburn-Bennett.
It was judged by Mary Ray, a professional dog trainer.
The winner was the youngest dog of all the finalist, at only two and half years old.
Last year, the competition was won by Miami the American Cocker Spaniel.
Jason Lynn, the dog’s handler, from Lancashire had won Best in Show with a standard poodle in 2014.
This morning dogs arriving for the final day of Crufts 2018 looked in desperate need of attention from their hair and beauty teams.
Several pups were sporting bedraggled and frizzy hair in the wet weather as their owners attempted to protect them from the drizzle in an array of fashionably bright waterproof coats.
There were bold red shoes, neon bobbles to keep hair out of faces and dog-print headscarves to eye-catching glowing onesies and one very patriotic ear protector.
Pooches and their proud owners descended on the Birmingham NEC Arena for the fourth day of the annual competition which saw the fantastic agility round and the gun dog display before the hotly-anticipated ‘Best in Show’ category.
Some 160,000 visitors from all around the world are expected to attend the four-day event and hopefully see their dog named a Cruft champion and take home a prestigious title.
Crufts was established by Charles Cruft in 1891 as a much smaller event held at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, London, and has grown to become the world’s biggest dog show.
The winner of ‘Best in Show’ at Crufts 2018 has been announced as Collooney Tartan Tease, a Whippet (pictured) owned by Mr and Mrs D G Short
The winner was the youngest dog of all the final seven, at only two and half years old, he won the hound category
Newfoundland dog enters the ring to be judged for Best In Show on day four of the Cruft’s dog show
The Crufts cup is displayed at NEC Arena
One owner went to great lengths to protect their Komondor dog, a breed known for its signature dreadlock coat, by tying a neon bobble in its fur and putting on bold red shoes
This fluffy Old English Sheepdog kept its feet protected from the muddy walk to the Birmingham NEC Arena with a black and pink pair of booties
These Spanish Water Dog siblings showed off their extremely curly coat as they trotted down the walk way for the fourth and final day of Crufts 2018
Suits you! This Portugeuse Water Dog, the breed made famous by the Obamas who own two, made sure to keep its fluffy fur sheltered from the wet weather in a very fetching dog-printed headscarf
I woke up like this! The owner of this hairy pooch kept things simple by sticking a bright red bobble to keep the fringe out of its face
Triple threat: These three handsome Samoyeds certainly know a thing or two about posing for the camera with their pristine white fur flowing
You could see this Clumber spaniel from space in its glowing orange onesie, the owner clearly didn’t want to lose her pooch by putting it in the bright number
Looking good! Crufts’ fashion is certainly an acquired taste but this pooch is certainly pulling off the colourful patterned waterproof coat
This spaniel was certainly feeling patriotic for the final day of the four-day competition sporting a Union Jack flag ear protector
Don’t they look cute! Two pooches donned the exact same look in varying colours as they patiently waited while their owner paraded them around
A surprised looking American Cocker Spaniel gets a quick touch up backstage at day four of Crufts as his owner brushes his fur
Who’s a good boy? These four black Labradors proved just how well-behaved they are all sitting together in the dreary weather before heading inside
It’s all in a hard day’s work for one owner, who fell asleep backstage while minding her pooch who seemed raring to get in on the action
Well-earned rest! These three good dogs took a break in the kennels, keeping each other cosy as their proud owner looked on
So proud! Kiara, aged six, poses for a photograph with her dogs on the final day of the Crufts dog show
Best pals! A girl cuddles up with her Labrador Retriever on the final day of Crufts in their specially designated kennel while waiting for their category to be called
Picture perfect! A young Labrador Retriever shows a look of concern as it gently rests its head while waiting for its owner
Getting a better view! One owner uses the kennels to keep his eye out for the competition as a cosy Weimaraner keeps warm in a towel
Forty winks! These two Vizla dogs take the chance to get a few extra minutes of sleep during the last few hours of the competition
Early start: Two Clumber spaniels sat with their owner patiently waiting outside the arena ahead of the competition starting
Pink is in! The neon onesie is certainly popular among the Crufts dog owners, with plenty of pooches rocking up in their finest cosy outfits
This Newfoundland dog, a breed known for its strength, is put to work by its owner pulling a trailer of equipment into the competition
This black and white four-legged friend is all smiles in a fetching purple coat as it wanders into the event alongside its owner
Peekaboo! A man reads a car magazine as he sits in a pen next to two Labrador Retrievers who appear to be playing a game of hide and seek
Crossed wires! Weimaraner dogs get over excited and end up in a tangled mess on the competition floor at Crufts
A group of well-behaved Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers sit in their pens while their owner takes a rest backstage
Spot the difference! These two women dressed exactly the same with matching black Labradors as they pose for a snap
These Weimaraner brothers are ready to take part in the gun dog display which tests the ability of the working breeds in four different categories retrievers, spaniels, hunt/point/retrieve, pointers and setters
Seeing quintuple! These five Irish setters show off their glossy red coats as their smiling owners parade them into the event ready for the gun dog show
This owner wanted to make sure her good boy looked his best by putting on a black onesie that resembled a black bin bag, with just his head, tail and paws poking out
Watch out for the drool! This excited setter is ready to take Crufts by storm in its khaki green waterproof coat, but perhaps its owner should mop up first
These handsome boys sported their very unusual mixed coats, one end full of expertly preened dreadlocks while the other half brushed fur
Ready for my close-up! This cocker spaniel knows how to work the camera angles as it shows off his glossy all black coat and perfect snout
Man’s best friend: These golden retriver pals complement each other with their gleaming fur and practised poses
This excited chocolate Labrador seemed eager to step into the competition arena, trotting ahead of its owner
We fancy! These two spaniels looked extremely glamorous with their metallic ear protectors as they sniffed around for treats
This golden retriever Labrador was groomed to perfection showing off its glossy gold fur ready for inspection from the judges