Alexa, a six-year-old Siberian Husky from Mansfield, and his owner, Jess Allen, won the Working Group title at Crufts 2022, qualifying him for a place in the Best in Show final on Sunday.

Alexa (CH Siberiadrift Keep The Love For Zimavolk) will return to the Resorts World Arena at the NEC in Birmingham for a place in the final at the world’s biggest dog show, Crufts, with his handler Jess.

Jess said: “I can’t believe that we have won. He is just a dream dog, but I never thought we would do this well.

“I can’t stop crying from happiness. This is my childhood dream come true, I always watched Crufts as a child and I loved animals growing up, always wanting a husky — but to have a Crufts-winning show dog is just amazing.

“He’s got a cheeky character and he’s very noisy, but he is also a cuddle monster, and thinks he’s a cat. He climbs on your shoulders and, as big as he is, he gets in the smallest of spaces.”

Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts show manager, said: “The performance of Jess and Alexa, enabling the pair to progress to the prestigious Best in Show final on Sunday, is a great achievement for them both. They should both be incredibly proud of their hard work and determination.

“Crufts recognises the special and unique bond between dogs and their owners and celebrates healthy, happy dogs and the bond between Alexa and Jess clearly stood out to the judge. The calm and confident performance displayed by the pair in the ring showed high ability.”