Ref. 25707-51A HUGE dog from Haydon Wick has won the chance to compete against some of the finest animals in the country.

Blue, an eight-stone Bouvier des Flandres, beat 50 dogs to come top of its heat in the RSPCA National Dog of the Year competition at Coate Water Country Park.

The heat, organised by the RSPCA's Swindon branch, was open to any dog rescued by an animal charity.

Pets were assessed on their health, appearance, personality, obedience, and relationship with their owners.

Blue's owner, Janet Garrett, said: "We think he's fantastic and it's nice someone else does too.

"His personality must have shone through."

Blue has lived with the Garretts for nearly four years after living with a number of owners and had been considered difficult.

Blue, who is eight years old, will now compete for the national title against the winners of more than 60 heats across the country. "It will really be something to have a big, clumsy bear-like thing like Blue in the final, but I don't know if the judges will go for him," said Mrs Garrett.

"It's the little Disney dogs that seem to win these things."

But the RSPCA insisted the Bouvier des Flandres was just as likely to win as any other breed of dog.

"The competition is very much open to dogs of all sizes," said spokeswoman Rebecca Ralph.

"The competition is to show that rescue dogs can make excellent pets.

"They're just as good as the dogs that compete in Crufts, despite their troubled backgrounds."

The national final is on September 7 at the RSPCA's Millbrook Animal Centre in Chobham, Surrey, and the top dog will be invited to Crufts next year.

Vital role in battle zones

Bouvier des Flandres originate from Belguim and France.

They were bred to drive and herd cattle and pull small carts.

During the First World War they were used to pull the wounded away from battle zones and to take messages across the front line.

As a result the Germans put a price on their head and they were nearly wiped out.

Today Bouviers are still used as police dogs in Holland and Belguim because of their huge strength and high intelligence.

They come in all colours, ranging from fawn to black, although grey is the most common colour.

In spite of their size, Bouvier des Flandres are not huge eaters.

Blue has two meals a day, getting through a 33lbs bag every three weeks.

The pet weighs eight stone and stands 27 inches high to the shoulder.

Blue takes 30 minutes a day to groom, and the animal's hair is clipped every three months.