Worksop dog breeder Michaella is a winner at Crufts again

Michaella Dunhill-Hall, 20, won the best in breed with her three-year-old male Japanese Shiba Inu, Shouji.

That put her through to the final for the utility dog group, where Shouji again performed well to finish third overall in the group behind a standard poodle and a miniature poodle.

Shouji’s performance was made better still when the miniature poodle that won the utility group title, went on to be named reserve best in show in the final.

Michaella, a professional breeder who’s been handling dogs since she was four, is no stranger to top dog accolades.

The kennel she runs with her mum, Liz Dunhill, is the number one in the UK for the Japanese Shiba Inu breed.

And the mother and daughter duo clearly have a knack for spotting winners.

Shouji was acquired, after much investigation, from a breeder in north Japan who was oblivious of the pup’s potential.

Michaela said: “We just knew Shouji would be a great dog.

“He won the best in breed title at Crufts last year but having said that we were really surprised to win the title again this year. We’re always lucky here. It’s a lucky show for us.”

Typical of the breed, Shouji’s aloofness at home has earned him the nickname ‘the samurai’ because he likes to stand and stare into the distance seeking out an imaginary Japanese mountain covered in cherry blossom trees.

However, as Michaella points out, that aloofness soon goes when he’s in the lounge in search of cuddles.

With 350 challenge certificates under her belt and the accolade of having won the first ever best in breed for the Japanese Shiba Inu breed of dog at Crufts, it’s more than just luck that keeps Michaella in the winner’s spotlight.

Held at the NEC in Birmingham, this year’s Crufts attracted around 26,000 dogs of all breeds to take part in the four-day event, including more than 3,000 from overseas, despite fears that several might not travelling due to fears over coronavirus.

This year's best in show and overall champion was a wire-haired dachshund called Maisie which was the hound category champion.