One-eyed shih-tzu rescued from Torquay competes at Scruffts

One of 96 shih-tzus rescued from a breeding home in appalling conditions has just competed in Scruffts – the equivalent of Crufts for cross-breeds.

Rhubarb, or Rhu, was among dogs described as “terrified” and “flea-infested” when rescued by the RSPCA from a property in Torquay, Devon in 2022.

She was taken to a rescue centre in Cornwall where vets attempted to treat a condition in her right eye, but were unable to save it.

After several months of rehabilitation, Lauraine Maddox from Bodmin adopted Rhu. While her pet did not win at Scrufts, Ms Maddox said she was extremely proud of her performance.

Ms Maddox said she did not know how her dog would react during the contest at the NEC in Birmingham.

She said: “You can’t prepare for going out into a 7,000 seat arena with all the noise.

“She is a one-eyed dog with an awful history but she trusts me, and trusts that I will keep her safe.

“She trotted out there on her own accord. She needed a bit of convincing behind the scenes but I had treats in my back pocket and she blew me away.

“She did more than I could ever ask – she gave it everything. I am so proud of her. With the journey she has been on to see her trot out with such confidence is a big achievement – I’m just so so proud.”

Rhu was rehabilitated by the RSPCA for several months before she was ready to be rehomed in January 2023.

She was described by the charity as “very nervous” and with a “long road to recovery ahead”.

Ms Maddox said she had previously been a “collie girl” and they still have the family pet Ty who competes in agility competitions.

It was while attending one of these events at the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge last year they happened to see a heat for Scruffts was going on at the same time.

“We paid £2 and entered Rhu in the prettiest bitch, and she won,” Ms Maddox said.

There was then another heat in September where she qualified for the final, held on Saturday.

Rhu has had a DNA test which found she was 83% shih-tzu, 12% chihuahua, 3% pekingese and 2% lhasa apso.

“She is my princess – she is absolutely spoiled rotten”, Ms Maddox said.

The Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year competition is run by The Kennel Club and recognises dogs whose parents are of two different breeds or a mixture of several breeds.