A former rescue dog has proved you can teach an old dog new tricks after making the finals of a national canine competition.

Phoebe, who was adopted two years ago by Wendy Roberts, is in with a chance of being named Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year' at the Kennel Club's Discover Dogs show in London.

The ten-year-old crossbreed will be showcased alongside scores of pooches from across the country at the Earls Court show on Sunday, November 12.

Phoebe, who is a mix of Collie and other breeds, was adopted by Miss Roberts from the Dogs' Trust in Leeds, when she was eight years old.

"She had belonged to an elderly woman who died," said Miss Roberts, of Gawthorpe Lane, Bingley.

"She hadn't been abused but she was a bit neglected. She was missing a lot of hair and had not been walked in a while." The 33-year-old odds compiler added: "She had led a sheltered life and was frightened when I got her home. She didn't know how to interact with other dogs."

But two years later, Phoebe has blossomed into an active outgoing dog and a devoted friend.

The lovable pet has achieved her bronze, silver and gold Good Citizen awards for obedience and is now in the running to net the Golden Oldie Award at the London show.

"Phoebe is happy and lively and confident now," said Miss Roberts. "She loves my nephews, who are aged four and two, and she plays beautifully with them.

"The good thing about getting an older dog is that they are house-trained. She just came into the house and sat down.

"When people are looking for a dog, a lot of the time they want a puppy but an older dog has a lot to give."

The Scruffts awards promise to be one of the highlights of the Kennel Club's Discover Dogs event on Saturday and Sunday, November 11 and 12.

Now in its 11th year, the event has become one of the highlights of the canine calendar and the poor man's version of Crufts' is always a crowd-puller.

A Kennel Club spokesman said: "The competition is a chance for people who don't have pedigrees to show off their dogs. It's a lovely competition and is good fun.

"Heats have taken place across the country throughout the summer and the winners have been invited to the grand final in London."

The competition is only open to crossbreeds and will see about 60 dogs competing in four categories for the titles of Prettiest Bitch, Handsomest Dog, Child's Best Friends and Golden Oldie .

Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year' will then be chosen from the winner of each category.

All the money raised from the competition will be given to the Kennel Club's charitable trust which provides grants in the name of making a difference to dogs'.

e-mail: fiona.evans@bradford.newsquest.co.uk