Tails are wagging in Dartford as a local rescue dog is on its way to London to compete in the semi-final of a national crossbreed competition.

Collie crossbreed Costa will travel to the capital’s ExCel convention centre with his owner Emmy Figg, 16, for the penultimate stage of Scruffts’ Child’s Best Friend contest at Discover Dogs; London’s biggest dog show.

Success will see them secure passage to the final at Crufts in March, and Emily is confident her pooch will be ready to wow the judges.

“He is a fun loving boy and loves to learn new tricks,” she said.

“Me and my mum are starting to train him to do agility which I do with my other dog and we all really enjoy it.”

Costa, from Many Tears Animal Rescue, is one of the 1,800 dogs to have taken part in Scruffts heats this year, raising £3,600 for the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and other chosen charities in the process.

The contest is supported by pet food makers James Wellbeloved, and marketing manager Anne-Laure Jaouën is excited to see Emmy and Costa in action.

“Emmy and Costa are exactly what we are looking for in the Scruffts competition and I wish them the best of luck in the semi-final,” she said.

“Every year the contestants amaze us with their stories, and we are looking forward to another really fantastic event at ExCeL London.”

The duo will be competing this Sunday, with a place at Crufts and – perhaps even
more excitingly – a special bumper supply of treats up for grabs.