THE owner of a Crufts prize-winning dog has said she almost didn't attend this year's competition because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Five-year-old Large Munsterlander Lionel won best of breed in the gundog category, after owners Katie Lloyd and Matt Smith considered not attending the event at all due to Katie being eight months pregnant.

She told The Shuttle: "We didn't know we were definitely going this year until 6am that morning because of coronavirus.

"I was showing him so I ran round the ring nearly eight months pregnant!

"It wasn't too difficult but I think people around me were more worried than I was."

Katie, who has been competing at Crufts for 11 years, said she had mixed emotions when Lionel was announced as the category winner.

"Because of me being pregnant, we said we would go home as soon as possible," she said. "When we were told Lionel had won, it was a mixture of emotions because it meant we couldn't go home but also we were really excited."

Katie added: "Lionel is such a cool dude. He's very calm and laid back. We have a four-year-old son and have a baby due anytime now and Lionel's temperament is exceptional."

But Lionel wasn't the only local winner - Skye Terrier Baylie also took home a best of breed title on the 4th day of the contest, after her father won the native vulnerable breeds competition last year.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Owner Jane Curtis, who is also from Kidderminster, said: "I did enter Baylie last year but she was so young. She did much better this year - she just took it in her stride."

Jane added: "Skye terriers are very loyal dogs. They are wary with strangers but are very friendly when they know you.

"Because they have such glamorous coats, people don't think they are proper terriers but they are. They are strong-willed and have the typical terrier temperament."