HOT dog Damiana doesn't seem to know what all the fuss is about.

But the blissfully serene Afghan hound has just become a canine champion - an accolade for which her Ribble Valley owner and dog breeder Jackie Day has waited 20 years

The six-year-old brindle Afghan won her third challenge certificate at a show at Doncaster which automatically makes her a champion.

Mrs Day, who breeds dogs from her home in Clitheroe Road, Whalley, said: "The dogs need to get three best in show certificates at different events to become a champion and Damiana has achieved that over three years. "At this last show she also won the best of breed class - and that's no mean feat when there are 240 Afghans in competition."

Damiana, now Champion Karnak Damiana for best and simply Dam Dog Day at home, is owned in partnership by Mrs Day and another breeder from Manchester.

She has lived all her life with Mrs Day and her husband Michael, who own a flower wholesale company,

Mrs Day added: "The dogs are supposed to be just a hobby but when you have eight full grown Afghans, and they all need hours of bathing and grooming each week, you begin to wonder whether its a hobby or a full-time job!

"But all the hard work was worth it when Damiana became champion."

Mr and Mrs Day have a couple more shows before the end of the year and then plan to take Damiana to Crufts in March.

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