A WINSFORD pooch proved you do not have to be beautiful to be brilliant by reaching the final of a national dog show.

Thirteen-year-old Jenny, who lives with owner Julie Nelson in Dene Drive, strutted her stuff at the Crufts equivalent for crossbreeds – Scruffts.

Scruffts is more fun led than the elite competition aimed at purebreds and little Jenny was excited to reach the final of the Golden Oldie category on Sunday.

Julie took Jenny and her other dog – Doberman Hogan – to the show in Earls Court in London at the weekend, but sadly their fun was cut short when Hogan was mauled by a rottweiler and needed emergency surgery.

But despite leaving the show empty-handed, the trio still had a great day.

Julie said: “Jenny didn’t win but she still had a great time showing off.”

Rescue dog Jenny found happiness living with Julie when she was just eight weeks old. But life has not always been easy for the little Labrador-cross, who almost lost a hind leg to hip dysplasia.

Julie, 43, said: “She’d always limped and then when she was 18 months old we were told she needed the op, and if it didn’t work, she would have to have it amputated.

“She’s been though a lot but she’s been very good companion, she’s a lovely little dog. She’s so eager to please and she loves life.”

Jenny loves nothing more than to go to clean homes of the elderly with Julie, where she more often than not takes centre stage.

“People absolutely love her. She’s earned her bronze, silver and gold medals in her good citizen classes and even trained as a PAT dog (Pets as Therapy) but she’s a bit old for that now.

“Although she got over her limp, she’s got a bit of arthiritus in her legs now but she’s still a lively little dog.”