A STREET dog rescued from Romania took one of the top honours at this weekend's dog show at Southwick Country Park.

Crossbreed Kaos, who was adopted by the Hudd family from Trowbridge, won the Best Junior Handler rosette for 11-year-old Sarah.

Although the whole family help to look after Kaos, it's Sarah who researched the breed to help train him when they took him in.

"It's important to get tips if a dog is difficult at first," she said. "Don't give up; there is always someone who can help you.

"Rescue dogs often crave company so it helps to adopt two at a time, if you can, so they can learn from and reassure each other."

Sarah's proud mum Mary and sister Jo are all passionate about rescue dogs and worked with ELI for Animals to find the perfect addition to their family.

ELI rescues dogs and cats and rehomes them in both the UK and locally in Romania.

The brainchild of Claudia Dumitru, 41, from Bucharest, the ever-growing ELI team formed in 2013 organise humane transport, veterinary care and rehabilitation in kennels, as well as loving homes like the Hudds'.

She said: "We have beautiful, well-behaved and fully trained dogs who just need their chance for a foster place in UK. Taking a dog from my home means another dog moved from kennels and rehabilitated."

Another big, yet small, winner on the day was five-month-old Siberian husky Two Seconds, who rounded up three rosettes.

Trained by Alice Sayle, 22, also from Trowbridge, he picked up Cutest Puppy, Handsomest Dog and Most Appealing Eyes at his very first dog show.

"We will definitely be taking him to more this summer," said Alice, who shares the Husky with partner James Savory, 25.

"The dogs really enjoy it; it's a great day out; and he slept very well afterwards!"

Dog show organiser 34-year-old Steph Wiltshire, from Bowerhill, set up Wiltshire Events to get involved in charity animal shows and have a passion that works around family life.

"We had 113 dogs register on Sunday – a fantastic turnout," she said. "We were raising money for Bath Cats & Dogs Home, which I'm particularly interested in as I did a week's work experience there in my teens.

"This year we're planning on organising 10 more events in the Wiltshire and Swindon area," she said.

The next fun dog show by Wiltshire Events is on Sunday, May 14 at King George V Park in Melksham. For more information, call 07506 948095.