A rescue dog, originally from Ukraine, won the Best of Breed title in the recently-concluded Crufts 2024. The Cocker Spaniel named Adriana defied the odds and beat over 400 Cocker Spaniels vying for the prestigious title.
Crufts 2024 — which came to an end on Sunday, Mar. 10 — saw 24,000 dogs from different parts of the world go head to head in various canine competitions. Thousands of spectators flocked to the NEC, Birmingham, to witness dogs of all breeds, shapes, and sizes compete in multiple categories and claim top prizes.
Ukrainian rescue dog ‘Adriana’ wins Best of Breed award at Crufts 2024
Adriana’s owner, 65-year-old Michael Masters from Somerset, United Kingdom, spoke to BBC News about Adriana’s victory. According to the news outlet, the pup was rescued from Ukraine two years ago when the Russia-Ukraine war unfolded.
At the time, Adriana was only seven months old. It’s reported that Adriana’s original owner was forced to send her away as they feared for her safety. After being displaced from Ukraine, the canine spent time in Poland and Germany, where she found people to care for her.
According to Wellington Weekly News, Masters, a mini-bus driver, came across a picture of the rescue pup and was instantly drawn to her. It was then that he made the decision to pay for Adriana’s relocation so that she could be re-homed with him in the U.K.
“Adriana was being pushed from pillar to post before I paid for her to come over, she arrived at eight months old,” Masters shared.
The proud owner termed Adriana’s win at the Crufts 2024 a “big achievement” given her rather turbulent past.
“It is a big accomplishment — I was worried Adriana could be spooked by the clapping and whooping of the crowd. She can get scared by the sound of aeroplanes or motorbikes. But she loved it,” he said.
Masters further heaped praises on Adriana, describing her as a “very happy little dog who lives life to the full.”
