Paw he’s a jolly good fellow!

GREAT team: Rusty and Sparki

SPARKI the Basenji is enjoying celebrity status at his home in Diggle after winning Best of Breed at Crufts.

The three year old — full name Champion Tokaji American Gigolo at Embeau — belongs to dog groomer Rusty Grayson. The pair are back at home but Rusty is already busy arranging a trip to Ireland for Sparki’s next big test.

Rusty, of Sam Road, has been breeding and showing dogs for 30 years, and picked the Basenji when she wanted a smaller dog to show alongside her Irish Setters.

Once a favourite of the Pharaohs, the breed is a silent African hunting dog which doesn’t bark because a need for stealth during hunting prevented its larynx from developing.

Sparki was chosen from 56 entries as best Basenji, then best dog, which qualified him for Best of Breed, hound group and finally a shot at the coveted Best in Show award.

Despite being a veteran of the showring, Rusty said it was still nerve-wracking to get to that stage.

“The adrenaline kicks in but you have to stay calm to keep the dog calm and pass good thoughts down the lead so he performs correctly for you,” she added.

Rusty is now aiming for an international title, which means he has to win in three other countries.

He already has one title of top male Basenji under his collar from Holland, and is due to go to Ireland later in the year in a bid to pick up his second.

Rusty, who has a dog grooming parlour in Diggle and two other Basenjis, gets huge support from husband Alan.

She said although many people think they are the ideal pet because they don’t bark, they have very specialised needs, including walks of at least five miles every day.

“You have to have a sense of humour to have a Basenji! They are a very specialised breed and stubborn when it comes to training.”