GLENWILLIEKA Astrid's Boy, better known as Bertie, one of the resident dogs at the Elephant's Nest Inn at Horndon, sprang a surprise on the pub's regulars by winning the 'Best Puppy in Breed', and 'First in Class' at Cruft's Dog Show recently. Bertie is one of a rare breed — a Glen of Imaal Terrier — and qualified for Cruft's at the Darlington Championship Dog Show last September when he was just six months old. The Glen of Imaal tops the Kennel Club's list of vulnerable breeds, and they are now reckoned to be rarer than the Giant Panda, with fewer than 1,000 left in the world today. Pub owners Hugh and Denise Cook bought Bertie to join their other two dogs, Louis and Digby. Hugh said: 'We had a Glen of Imaal some years ago, and we both like the breed, so when we saw the newspaper article about the declining numbers, we decided that we'd get another.' Bred originally in County Wicklow in Ireland, the Glen of Imaal make excellent pets. They have been described as 'a big dog in a small dog's body'. They are very loyal, don't lose their coat, and live up to about 15 years. Bertie mixes easily with both canine and human visitors at the Elephant's Nest. Hugh said: 'He's a friendly little chap, and very popular with our guests.'