A WELLINGTON dog is heading to London this week to compete for a big chance to star at Crufts.

Kanga, a crossbreed rescue dog from Wellington, will take part in the Scruffts semi-final on October 17, just over a year after being rescued in Spain.

Scruffts is a national crossbreed dogs competition, the grand final of which is held at Crufts in March.

Daisy Atkin, Kanga's owner, said: “Kanga was found tied to a chain in an industrial yard in Alicante, Spain. She had spent most of her life there, with a dirty water a food dish and nothing but concrete to curl up on.

“Her coat was filthy and matted, and when she was let off the chain it was found that she couldn't walk or run properly as her back legs had never been used, so she had no muscle in them.

“Kanga came to me in October 2014, three months after being released from her chain and I worked with her to keep building and strengthening her muscles, which included teaching her to swim and lots of long walks in the countryside.

"We started doing agility in March 2015 as a way of building up her muscle, but also to strengthen her obedience and our bond as dog and owner.

"It was the best thing we could have done, her behaviour changed dramatically and it allowed us to trust each other more which was reflected in how much better behaved she became.

“Although I rescued Kanga, she has done more for me than she will ever realise.”

Kanga is one of more than 1,800 dogs who have taken part in the Scruffts heats this year.

The competitors all received treats from James Wellbeloved, sponsors of the competition.

James Wellbeloved marketing manager, Anne-Laure Jaouën said: "Kanga is exactly what we are looking for in the Scruffts competition and I wish them the best of luck in the semi-final.

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

To find out more about Scruffts, please visit www.scruffts.org.uk.