RESCUE Staffie Duke is helping to change people's perceptions of rescue dogs as he took part in Crufts earlier this month.

The older Staffordshire bull terrier, who lives at Cheshire Dogs' Home near Grappenhall, was entered in the Kennel Club's Bronze Good Citizen's Award live at the prestigious dog show.

Duke came to the rescue home after his former owners could no longer look after him but he gave the primped and preened pedigrees a run for their money with his character and affection.

Anna Stansfield, home manager said: "At Cheshire Dogs’ Home we were the original trail-blazers in getting rescue dogs and cross-breeds involved in Crufts, as we’ve been taking display teams of rescue dogs to the show for several years now – we even made Crufts history by winning the Temptation Alley event three years in a row.

"It’s been important for us to get our message out there that rescue dogs can make wonderful companions, with rescue dogs including cross-breeds having their moment in the spotlight at Crufts, and this year we were so pleased to see a lot of public affection for rescue dogs including lovely Staffie types like Duke.

"When Crufts first asked us to enter one of our dogs in the Good Citizen’s Award live at the show, Duke sprang to mind because he’s so eager to learn, and our volunteer Steve spent three weeks intensively preparing him for the event.

"The biggest crowd Duke had ever seen was members of the public in our reception at Cheshire Dogs’ Home, so for him to be so impeccably behaved and totally unflappable in front of the huge audience at Cruft’s was incredible.

"He also loved the hotel, especially stretching out on a king-sized bed!

"We’re so proud of Duke, who’s now ready for adoption, and we feel he’s a fantastic poster boy for all the amazing rescue dogs out there who make loyal, characterful and much-loved companions."

Anyone interested in adopting Duke should call Cheshire Dogs’ Home on 0844 504 1212 or visit the website for visiting times.