A RESCUE dog has made his owner proud by qualifying for Crufts 2024.

Seb Thomas, of Fiddington, will be heading to the NEC in Birmingham n March 7after Buddy qualified for the world famous show in agility

Buddy was given up by his original owners at 11-months-old and take in by local rescue charity Paws4Thought.

Seb's partner Vickie Gould said: "Seb saw Buddy advertised for adoption on social media and was quick to give him a new home.

"Whilst Seb works full time at Vertu BMW in Bridgwater, he also runs a local agility club, Cannington Agility Training Society, on a voluntary basis in his spare time.

"He is passionate about all dogs and handlers being given the opportunity to learn the skills involved in dog agility and the benefits it brings to their lives.

"Seb has trained Buddy from a complete beginner in agility, and despite him missing out on competitions in his first few years due to the pandemic, after a wild start to his agility career with many elimination runs, he managed to progress up the grades last summer, and through qualification rounds at Kernow Agility Show in Cornwall in April, and at the Kennel Club International Agility Festival in Rutland in August, out of thousands of dogs across the whole of the UK, Buddy managed to make the top six to make it to the famous green carpet of Crufts."

They will be competing Thursday, March 7, in the Kennel Club Novice Cup (Large), taking on two courses with the aim of accurate and fast rounds, with the overall best result being crowned the winner.

Highlights will be available to watch on YouTube and TV coverage on Channel 4.