A patterdale terrier rescued by a Durham couple from a gang of firework-throwing youngsters has beaten the odds to take the title in a national dog agility competition. Three years after being taken in by Linda and Gary Cummings, Ellie has been crowned top tog in the final of the Supadog Agility Rescue League, which took place in Peterborough this weekend. Handled by Gary, Ellie negotiated a course of jumps, hoops and tunnels, and easily took first place in her category, completing the course an incredible four seconds faster than her nearest rival. “Ellie did fantastically well and we’re so proud of her,” said Linda, 41. “She’s been through an awful lot in her short life, but she’s an incredibly happy little dog, and she loves doing agility. She’s a natural at the sport and has won a lot of competitions, but it’s great to add the Supadog Agility Rescue League championship to her silverware collection. This was a special win because it is such a fantastic event, celebrating the success of pets like Ellie who have overcome hardship to grow into happy and healthy sporting dogs.” Christine Neasham, marketing director at Burgess, makers of the popular Supadog range of dog food that sponsors the show, said: “Ellie is a true champion in every sense of the word. Her agility success is all the more remarkable after everything she’s been through, and the fact that she has grown into such a happy, healthy dog is testament to all the love and care that Gary and Linda have given her. Sadly, Ellie is not alone in having a tragic story but such happy endings are exactly why we are so proud as a company to support the Supadog Agility Rescue League.” After being rescued by Gary and Linda, Ellie faced further troubles when a vet diagnosed complications as a result of hip dysplasia, a hereditary condition that can lead to crippling lameness and arthritis. The poorly pup had to endure a major operation involving breaking and re-setting her leg to stop it popping out of place. Thankfully, the operation was a success and after just eight weeks Ellie was running around as normal. Before long, the vet deemed her fit enough to return to agility training. “Our other dogs, Sooty and Sweep, loved agility, so we had taken Ellie along to the classes and she proved a natural,” explained Linda. “After the operation she couldn’t wait to start again. Over the past three years, she has done amazingly well, and has reached grade seven – the top level in agility that only the very best dogs achieve.” Later this year, Ellie will become one of the first ever rescue dogs to compete in the European Agility Championships. Kennel Club rules have always stipulated that international competitors must be pure-bred – until this year, when the rule was dropped. Ellie, with Gary running her, successfully completed the trials to secure a place in Team GB and will now travel to Germany in July to compete. “Being part of Team GB is very exciting,” continued Linda. “We hope that Ellie can repeat her Supadog success and bring home a medal from Germany.”