Asha & Logan has tonight (Sunday 8 March) been announced as the winner of the Royal Kennel Club Hero Dog Awards competition at Crufts 2026.
Eight-year-old Asha, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was a finalist in the Young Person’s Champion category with her owner, Logan Dagnall.
Asha, an eight-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, has become a constant source of comfort, companionship and emotional support for Logan, a 17-year-old living with cerebral palsy and mitochondrial disease. Logan is a full-time wheelchair user and requires ongoing medical care, and Asha plays a central role in his daily life.
From the moment Logan wakes up to when he goes to sleep, Asha is by his side, sleeping at the foot of his bed, waiting for him after school, and staying close whenever he is unwell or anxious. Her calm, gentle nature provides reassurance during hospital visits, medical procedures and difficult days. She knows him inside out and just having her nearby gives his mum peace of mind.
For Logan and his family, Asha is far more than a pet. She brings stability, comfort and companionship into a life shaped by complex medical needs, helping Logan feel supported and never alone. As Logan says, “If Asha could talk, she’d tell everyone we’re best friends.” Her unwavering presence has enriched his life in countless ways, making her a true Young Person’s Champion.
Asha was one of five hero dog finalists shortlisted for the Royal Kennel Club Hero Dog Award competition in February. The finalists shared their unique stories of the impact that each dog has made on their life, and the nation cast over 37,000 votes. The winner was announced in the bp pulse LIVE arena at the NEC in Birmingham on the final day of the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, by Paralympian, Jessica-Jane Applegate MBE.
Proud Logan and Asha were presented with their award and a cheque for £5,000 from the Royal Kennel Club Charitable Trust for their dog charity of choice - West Wales Poundies. The four other finalists also received £1,000 for their chosen dog charity for making it to the prestigious final.
Jannine Edgar, Chief Executive of the Royal Kennel Club said: “Our warmest congratulations to Asha, this year’s winner of the Royal Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. What they have achieved and the support they continue to provide is truly exceptional. The remarkable bond between Logan and Asha is inspiring. We were honoured to celebrate all of our finalists, each of whom has made an extraordinary impact on the lives of their owners and wider communities. Their stories encapsulate exactly why dogs are known as ‘man’s best friend.’”
The five dogs which made the 2026 final were selected by a panel of judges from The Royal Kennel Club, where they were chosen for the lifetime of love and loyalty they give to their owners and for the remarkable difference they make in society. To find out more about the award, visit crufts.org.uk/herodogaward
Nominations for the 2027 award will open later this year.
Crufts took place from 5 – 8 March 2026 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information and results from the show, visit crufts.org.uk.