Dogs compete one week after blaze
Three Pedigree canines have competed in the world’s largest dog show just days after being saved from a house fire.
The Dogue de Bordeaux Hooch, consisting of six-year-old Freya, four-year-old Rambo and three-year-old Amber, went head-to-head with many other hounds at the Crufts dog show in Birmingham’s NEC, on Thursday 6th of March.
The incident occurred on Monday, February 25, when a home in Weston Coyney, near Stoke-on-Trent, caught fire.
The blaze started following a fault with an immersion heater. According to a report by the Stoke Sentinel, dog breeder and owner of the home Wendy Colcough noticed flames escaping from her airing cupboard at 11:40 am. The 58-year-old was assisted by neighbour Shelia Simcock, while firefighters extinguished the flames and got everyone out safely.
While no-one was seriously harmed by the fire, Mrs Colcough had to be treated for smoke inhalation at the scene.
Along with the three Dogue de Bordeaux Hooch that were evacuated from the property, 30 other dogs and puppies were also rescued during the blaze.
Freya, Rambo and Amber won their place at Crufts by competing at the Leeds and Welsh Championship Shows, scooping awards in first, second and third position.
The 2014 Crufts marked the third year that the family has entered their dogs for the competition. Speaking about the situation, Mrs Colcough said that while they did not win, the smoke had not had an effect on the dogs and Rambo had benefitted from “a lot of fuss” being made over him.
