Daily Mail, Wednesday, March 4, 2020^ Page 11
Oh, yOu mucky pup!
Big beast hopes
for Crufts glory
(after a wash)
HE is over 6ft tall, described as
‘blond and nutty’ and enjoys
being in front of the camera.
Meet Boris – one of more than 70
Pyrenean mountain dogs hoping
for glory at Crufts this week.
And getting a big blond hound ready
for judging is a huge task, as his owner
Susan Reilly knows.
Boris needs a shower, blow dry and
comb after long muddy walks, as
pictured here, to keep his shiny coat
in tip-top condition.
He is due to compete at the highest
level – the ‘open class’ – for his breed
at the world’s most famous dog show
on Saturday.
Miss Reilly, from Bracknell, Berk-
shire, said a win at Crufts for three-
year- old Boris would be special
because it would be exactly 50 years
since his breed was judged best over-
all at Crufts.
In 1970 the best in show prize was
awarded to Bergerie Knur, who beatBy Alex Ward
A post-walk shower...
... and then a blow dry
His blond coat is brushed...
... and he’s ready for a snooze
Outside: Boris before his walk
8,397 other dogs to come top.
Miss Reilly, 59, has written to Boris
Johnson and received a reply agreeing
that her pet was more handsome than
the Prime Minister.
She said: ‘The thing with Boris is he
is a natural showman. He loves the
camera. He’s blond and nutty so I was
always going to call him that, after
Boris Johnson.’
Boris the mountain dog’s upkeep
costs around £150 a week and includes
fillet steak and chicken – but his owner
said it all helps to keep her 7st 8lb pet
in peak condition.
She said: ‘He won’t eat anything else
and to be honest he is a bit spoilt...
But to look at him he is amazing. His
coat has never looked better.’
Despite winning awards internation-
ally, Miss Reilly said Boris will face
stiff competition as there are 78 dogs
entered in his breed’s event alone.
How to help a poorly pet- Centre pages
1
2
3
4
Caked in mud:
Boris’s not-so-
blond coat
after walkiesPictures: Jenny Goodallmailplus.co.uk/briefings
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