GOOD Boy. Good Girl. You’ve brought the trophy to prove that when it comes to being well behaved you’re Britain’s top dogs.

Big and boisterous, cute and cuddly and all sizes in between, puppies and veteran dogs long-haired and short belonging to members of Langstone and District Canine Society have won the Kennel Club’s national award for good citizenship beating 2000 other clubs from all over the UK.

“If people had tails ours would be wagging like mad,” said Mrs Kate Morgan-Lloyd, from Caerleon, a nurse at the Royal Gwent Hospital and one of the club’s chief dog trainers said.

“The good citizenship award was set up 20 years ago because through no fault of their own some dogs were getting a bad name.

“Since then we’ve helped hundreds of people understand that when owners behave responsibly the result is a happy community and a happy dog.

“Things like keeping pets under control when they are in public places and, of course, cleaning up after them means that dogs retain their title as man’s – and woman’s – best friend.”

The club, which runs twice-a-week training classes at Langstone’s village hall, was formed 51 years ago and has 50 human members.

Canine club members include Kate’s two Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Pip and Barnaby Elliot and Collie Gwyn, at 14, the senior statesdog.

Training officer Nicola Radford, of Allt-yr-Yn, Newport, is mum to four Chow Chows Morgan, Lennie, Misty and Hollie as well as to daughter Eloise, 10, a pupil at St Mary’s Primary.

“Dogs are delightful and devoted creatures and have every right to be considered our best animal friends,”

she said.

“But the very best relationships involve mutual understanding and courtesy and that’s where our dogs and owners have come out tops.

“The judges sift submissions and evidence from clubs all over Britain and the winners go to London to receive the award which is here on show today.”

As laid-back collie Gwyn viewed proceedings Eloise Radford put Hollie through her course of dog etiquette.

“Hollie is full of beans but is well on the way to being a good citizen,” Nicola said.

“It’s down to friendliness and good training.

“As you can see the dogs are beautifully behaved too.”