Crufts has announced that its Best in Show champion has been crowned as Maisie, a wire-haired Dachshund from Gloucestershire. Alongside owner Kim McCalmont, Maisie was chosen by top judge, Anne Macdonald, on the final day of the four-day event (8 March). She is the first ever Daschund to receive the title. Almost 20,000 pedigree dogs from around the world competed at the Birmingham NEC for the seven “coveted” places in the Crufts 2020 Best in Show final. The Reserve Best in Show award was won by Frankie, a Miniature Poodle, owned and handled by Melanie Harwood, from Lancashire. It was the second time that Frankie had won the reserve title. Other finalists included Pablo the Bichon Frisé, Elsie the Irish Setter, Drago the Bullmastiff, Zokni the Old English Sheepdog and Pixie the Kerry Blue Terrier. Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show manager, said: “Congratulations to Maisie who helped end this year’s competition on a real high, taking the prestigious Best in Show award with her owner, Kim McCalmont. “It has been fantastic to watch their strong relationship together in the ring and they are very deserving winners.” She added: “Well done to all of our other wonderful finalists too. The dogs and their owners and handlers should be incredibly proud to get through to such a prestigious final – it really is a special achievement. “Crufts is a British institution but it is also adored by dog lovers all over the world and we have been so delighted to see the unique bond between these much loved dogs and their owners, across a range of competitions and activities.”