Beginning of a beautiful friendship: The moment Ashleigh Butler met wonder dog Pudsey
These photographs reveal the incredible life and times of Britain’s Got Talent champion Pudsey the dog.
From adorable puppy to proud father and top dog competition winner, the pictures have been lovingly collected by Pudsey’s owner Ashleigh Butler, 17.
The family album also includes the first picture of the brown cocker spaniel believed to be Sam - the male hound alleged to be the current focus of Pudsey’s affections.
New friend: BGT winner Ashleigh Butler is seen opening the box containing Pudsey as a puppy when she was 11 years old in a new home video
The talent show champion is alleged to have ditched the mother of his six puppies, border collie Crumble, for long-eared mutt.
Beaming Ashleigh was today still in London with her mum Penny, while her dad Ian was at the family home in Wellingborough, Northants., where he was unable to make any comment.
However, family photos showed Ashleigh’s £500,000 talent as a dog trainer blossoming from the age of just five when she took the lead of Buffy - Pudsey’s mum.
A dog's life: The new pictures have revealed BGT winners Ashleigh and Pudsey growing up together
Ashleigh fist clapped eyes Pudsey as a puppy, when she was aged just 11, and knew she wanted him as her own hound.
The dog nut was allowed to keep the puppy in return for working hard at school - and staying out of trouble.
As well a natural, inseparable bond the pair also showed the breeding of future champions.
As well a natural, inseparable bond the pair also showed the breeding of future champions.
Inseparable: The pair's bond was obvious from an early age
Talented: Pudsey began cleaning up at dog shows
Pudsey’s father Acer was a regular show winner, while Ashleigh’s mum Penny already had more than a decade of dog training experience when she started training her daughter.
Ashleigh trained Pudsey in obedience, agility, flyball, show handling and heelwork to music - preparing him for his Britain’s Got Talent show winning routine.
The pair excelled as soon as they started competing climbing three competition categories from three to six - in just one year.
Excelling: Ashleigh and Pudsey winning Scruffts Crossbreed of the Year at Discover Dogs 2004
In 2009 they wowed the dog training community by winning the right to compete in Championship events, like Crufts - the grand slams of the dog training world.
Away from regular competition victories Pudsey was a regular member of the animal-mad Butler household.
Britain’s most popular dog grew up in the Butler’s family home in Wellingborough, Northants., with Ashleigh’s brother and sister Brett and Tayla and sheep dogs, rabbits, a cat, guinea pigs, chinchillas and even a goldfish.
Love life? Ashleigh and Pudsey with his rumoured male companion the spaniel Sam
In 2008 Pudsey and his border collie girlfriend Crumble became the proud parents of six puppies Dylan, Bertie, Crumpet, Fred Suga and Spice.
Pudsey and Ashleigh have competed at numerous dog shows in the past including Crufts and even represented Britain in the 2010 European Open Agility Championships.
Winners: The pair scooped the £500,000 prize during the final of Britain's Got Talent this weekend - and Ashleigh's secret weapon of a ham sandwich has been revealed
rising stars: Ashleigh and Pudsey, pictured on Daybreak today, are believed to have their sights set on Hollywood
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