Britain's most heroic dog named at Crufts as Belgian Malinois who hunted for ... trends now

The most heroic dog in Britain is a search and rescue Belgian Malinois who hunted for survivors in Turkey and Morocco after devastating earthquakes.

Four amazing pups were made the final of Crufts' Hero Awards, with the public crowning their favourite from the shortlist.

The beloved animals proved that dogs really are man's best friend as they supported their owners through their hardest times, to give them a life they never knew they could have or even to work hand in hand with their human pals to save lives.

Four-year-old Vesper only went into the noble profession after failing to become a police dog - preferring to cuddle the criminals rather than collar them.

But at 18 months the pup - who was originally named Venom - instead bonded with Niamh Darcy, a dog handler from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service - performing flawlessly as she was put through her paces to become her search partner.

And in the wake of the natural disaster that killed more than 55,000 people she used her nose to rescue people trapped under the rubble.

'Vesper is now an experienced and mature search dog who is leading the way within the field of search and rescue,' a proud Niamh said.

'She's a true hero and living proof that every dog can exceed their potential.'

Golden Retriever Phoebe was also nominated as a hero support dog after her vital role in helping her owner, Jazz Turner, 25, to achieve her dreams as she competes for Team GB as a Para Sailor.

Although she admitted it can sometimes be a challenge to get the amazing pup out of the water and into the boat - when she is aboard amazing Phoebe alerts Jazz to when she is going to have a fainting episode or seizure, brought on by her hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

The condition - which the athlete was diagnosed with when she was 18 - causes her to have seizures and her joints to dislocate.

But with rescue-pup Phoebe sitting in the boat in her own lifejacket she is able to sail, paddleboard and even climb. She alerts Jazz to when she needs to get to shore - which can happen twice a race.

Jazz, who won a Silver at the World Championships alongside sailing partner Adam Billany, 24, told MailOnline: 'She literally saves my life and is also just my best friend.

'She's always agreed to do whatever I've asked of her - we've been paragliding, we've been mountain biking, surfing, hoverboarding, mountain climbing. She'll follow me wherever I go.

'Any Gold Medal that I get is as much hers as mine. I wouldn't be able to do it without her.

'We were nominated by the therapy dog charity we work for, Canine Concern, but to me she's just my crazy bog dog! The fact that she's here at Crufts alongside all these amazing dogs - fe me she's just my partner in crime.

Phoebe also protects Jazz if she has a faint or a seizure, regulating her body temperature and putting herself between her head and the ground to stop her banging her head, and even travels to hospitals or meets with children with disabilities as a therapy dog.

Para Sailing does not have the funding to be a sport at the Paralympics, but she hopes it will show people the importance of accessible sport - as she can't take part in many of the more mainstream sports, such as wheelchair basketball or rugby.

Jazz's proud father said, the people at their sailing club said they were 'glad' they were not there this weekend - because it might give them a chance to win some races. He said: 'I'm very proud. Whatever she puts her mind to she does really well.'

She added: 'I think when people see you on land they make assumptions. I race alongside able-bodied people and once I get on

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