A RADCLIFFE dog breeder put in a far from "paw" performance when two of his pedigree chums won prestigious titles at Crufts.

Keith Hand's own dog, Champion Kwhanchu Peggy Sue was named Reserve Best Bitch in the Kwhanchu Chow Chows section on Saturday (March 9) at Birmingham NEC.

The Kwhanchu, which will be three in May, narrowly missed out on the Best Bitch title to Kwhanchu Black Magic Woman, aka Ellie, which was bred by Mr Hand.

Mr Hand, of Bury and Bolton Road, said: "It was a complete shock. Peggy Sue was narrowly beaten to the title but it was by one of our own dogs. I am delighted."

Peggy Sue and Ellie were among 70 bitches and 46 dogs entered in the Kwhanchu Chow Chow section.

Both the Best Bitch and Best Dogs went head to head for the title of Best in Breed with the male of the species clinching the title and going forward to the Best in Show championship final.

Peggy Sue had her first taste of success at Crufts in March 2000 when she won the Best Puppy in Breed. Since then she has won five Championship titles at official dog shows around the country.

Mr Hand, who owns Doctor Rock on Bolton Road in Bury, said: "We have been showing for nearly six years. We have only four dogs while others have 20.

"Some of the breeders have been showing for 30 to 40 years and have not achieved what we have achieved. I am very pleased."