IT was a case of every dog having its day for Japanese Akita Inu Uchi as he secured a prestigious prize at Crufts 2018 alongside his Sedgley owner Tina Thomas.

Sixteen-month-old Uchi put his best paw forward at Birmingham’s NEC, suitably impressing judges to scoop the Best of Breed award on Saturday.

That made it a Crufts to remember for his 61-year-old owner Tina, of Wolverhampton Road, who joined thousands of other canine lovers in descending on the West Midlands for 127th edition of the world’s largest dog show.

An estimated 22,000 pooches visited the NEC during the four-day event, with a record 3,623 four-legged-friends from 49 countries vying for the chance to win the coveted Best in Show.

Visitors learnt about 200 different breeds at the Discover Dogs zone, crossbreeds competed for the Scruffts crown and the Friends for Life event reminded people about the truly inspiring and unique stories that show dogs at their absolute best.

And for Tina, there was no wiping the smile off her face as her beloved Uchi enjoyed his moment in the spotlight.

“He is quite outgoing,” said Tina of her pooch.

“His father was best of breed three times as well, so he is walking in his father’s footsteps."