Despite being just 16 months old, a young otterhound took the lead at Crufts this year and scooped 1st place in the post graduate class.

James - otherwise known as Bunnahabhain Phoenix - is one of the remaining few of the ancient British otterhound breed, which is now believed to be as rare as giant pandas, with smaller litters being born each year.

James' owner, Ann Paton, of Lower Castle Bythe in Haverfordwest, was delighted with his performance as he also received 3rd place in the special junior class.

She said: "I didn't expect much of him this year because he is a young dog but I'm so proud of him because he did so well."

She added because of James' size children came up to him throughout the competition to have their photos taken next to him.

Ann began showing in the 1980s with English pointers but then started showing otterhounds in 1994.

She said she first got into showing after she went to watch a show with her Irish setter and someone suggested that she start entering dogs herself.

"So I went to classes and I really liked it and I just got the bug," she added.

Ann has previously won best of breed at Crufts with James' grandmother, Tecklegarth Persophane of Bunnahabhain, or Alice.

The average otterhound stands about 27 inches tall at the shoulder and can weigh between 30 and 55 kilos. But James is not just the average otterhound - Ann reckons he weighs a lot more as he is big boned.

Ann now owns three otterhounds, including James, and two English pointers.

She is hoping James will do just as well next year and may progress to the later stages.