HARD on the heels of his great grandmother Beech, flat-coated retriever Casblaidd Very Ernest – better known as Ernie – has also snapped up a trophy at Crufts.

The four-year-old triumphed at the world’s greatest dog show last week to win The Shooting Gazette Challenge Cup as best working gundog.

Delighted Haslemere dog breeder Jo Hewison said: “It was a big class of 32 so it was a good day to win.

“We won the class 12 years ago with Ernie’s great grandmother Beech.

“It was the first time we had entered him. It was one of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) classes and he also got a highly commended as part of the team from the Bury Hills Shoot in another BASC class.

“Ernie is a very hardworking gundog. He supports shoots at Petworth and Odiham as well as Bury Hills.

“The judges were looking for a dog that moves beautifully, has a sound temperament and can do a hard day’s work. The winner must also behave and be biddable.”