First prize at Crufts for the surprisingly well-behaved Tara!

Tara, owned by Clive and Marina Hale, won a first in the Good Citizen category, which is an obedience training class.

“My wife would normally run with her, but she had an injury, so I had to step in at the last minute,” said Clive (55), a supermarket worker.

The briefing he was given by Marina (52), a self-employed domestic cleaner, must have worked.

“I couldn’t believe we’d won,” said Clive. “We hadn’t discussed that part, so I didn’t know where to go, or what to do! At the time I was confused, but now we’re elated.”

As for Tara: “I’m just glad she was the most obedient on the day,” said Clive. “She’s with me now. She’s gorgeous!”