EVERY dog has its day - and this weekend it was the mongrels time to shine as the scruffier side of canine life was celebrated.

EVERY dog has its day - and this weekend it was the mongrels time to shine as the scruffier side of canine life was celebrated.

The Scruffts competition, held in Suffolk for the first time on Saturday, gave mutts and crossbreeds the chance to take part in a Crufts-style show.

The event at the Mid Suffolk Showground at Stonham Barns was organised by the Clacton & District Canine Society.

Organisers were disappointed that only around 35 dogs took part, when they had been hoping for up to 200, but John Carter, secretary of the Clacton society, said it had still been a fun day.

“There were some lovely dogs,” he said. “Everyone who came enjoyed themselves and loved it and went home happy.

“It was nice to have a chance for the crossbreeds to show off.”

The four winners on the day - in the children's, best looking dog, best looking bitch and golden oldies categories - have qualified for the Kennel Club's national final in London in November to compete for the title of Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year.