Dogs are said to be a man’s best friend so when they win a top contest, their owner’s gleam with pride.

One prize winning pooch stunned his owner when he was declared champion at a dog show.

Brooke Mercer, 21, of Dawes Avenue, Hornchurch, was over the moon when her grandad Graham Crawford’s nine-month-old golden retriever, Harvey, was named top dog at the Amesbury Mead Farm Dog Show, in Chingford.

She said: “This was the first dog show we have entered him in and he did amazing.

“He did so well in almost all of the rounds and me and my grandad were almost in tears when he won!”

The award-winning pup was welcomed into Brooke’s grandad’s home in October last year after his partner of 25 years died of cancer in 2013.

She said: “We got Harvey so grandad would have some companionship when he was home alone and he really has brought so much to both of our lives.

“He is a really lovely dog.”

Brooke – a keen horse rider – decided to enter the beloved puppy into the competition after she saw the event was featured on a horse riding website.

She said: “I take part in a lot of contests myself and really enjoy them so I thought this would be a fun day out for me, grandad and Harvey.

“It also gave him a chance to interact with some other dogs, but I didn’t expect him to do as well as he did!”

Best puppy and handsomest dog were just two of the nine rosettes that Harvey won as well as overall champion.

Brooke said: “We obviously think he is the best dog, but was surprised when he kept winning.

“There was a lot of strong competition on the day but Harvey definitely held his own.”

Brooke is hoping to enter her champion pooch once again in another contest very soon.

She said: “He’s never done anything like this before so we are very proud of everything he has achieved.

“He looked like he was really enjoying himself, but as soon as he got home he fell asleep – all of that winning must have worn him out!”