A non-pedigree, unplanned puppy proved his star quality with a show-stopping Crufts performance that has made ‘dreams come true’.

Dog owners Dani Jeffery and daughter Fern, of Salcombe Regis, say they are still on cloud nine after winning the reserve champion team title at the prestigious international competition - against all the odds.

The pair, with collies Cove and George, missed out on victory in the agility trials by a mere three tenths of a second – an impressive feat for their first time at the show, with one dog who had an unusual start in life.

George, five, was bred by Louise and Nigel Stout, of Sidmouth’s Mocha Restaurant, quite by accident after their collie Marley had an unplanned encounter with a dog named Tommy – owned by Olympic silver medallist Mary King.

Louise was at the NEC Arena in Birmingham on Thursday to cheer the team on and said their success at Crufts is a ‘dream come true’.

Dani said: “I still have not come down from cloud nine and neither has Fern. We were the fifth team to compete out of eight and we went into the lead straight away. For the first time at Crufts, it was just a fantastic achievement.

“The other team was much more experienced. Our dogs are used to running outside, not on a green carpet, but they just went around as if they had been doing it their whole lives. It’s just the fact that George was unplanned and he turned out to go to Crufts. We have got the bug now. The atmosphere is like nothing else – it’s incredible.”

Bonny Crick, with her dog Ivy, and Kim Krausher, with Bub, made up the full team.

Louise said: “What an amazing experience - I think they have actually fulfilled my dream. I have been to Crufts for years since I was a teenager and always wanted to compete - now Dani has done it for me by taking one of my dogs. It’s lovely to see the bond and partnership that they have got.”