Competition for Pudsey as the new dog on the block catches Simon Cowell’s eye at top show

By ALASDAIR GLENNIE

Well-trained: Rachael Grylls and her amazing performing dogs, Jacob and Jessica have caught Simon Cowell's eye after winning a prestigious dog show Ashleigh and Pudsey may have found fame and fortune on Britain’s Got Talent. But it seems the competition is already snapping at their heels. Trainer Rachael Grylls and her dancing pets Jacob and Jessica have reportedly caught Simon Cowell’s eye after winning a prestigious dog show this month.

Impressive: The 33-year-old wowed a crowd of 26,000 people at the Discover Dogs show in London with a circus-themed routine The 33-year-old impressed a crowd of 26,000 people at the Discover Dogs show at Earls Court in London with her circus-themed routine. Her Jack Russells have mastered a series of tricks every bit as impressive as Uggie, who starred in hit silent film The Artist earlier this year.

Jumping through hoops: Mrs Grylls holds the ring as Jessica jumps through, with Jacob at her feet The pair jumped through hoops, rolled barrels, skipped, played the piano and rode on horseback in a ten-minute show to music. TV mogul Cowell sent talent scouts to the competition to recruit animals for his Christmas special dog talent show Take The Lead.

On a roll: Mrs Grylls and Jessica rolling on a barrel. Her Jack Russells have mastered a series of impressive tricks

Cool riders: Jacob and Jessica wait to perform their next trick aboard a skateboard Impressively, Mrs Grylls only started training her pets a year-and-a-half ago. Until then, she specialised in training horses on her stud farm near Launceston, Cornwall, where she lives with her husband Sean, 35, and daughter Angelina, ten. She said: ‘It just started off as play. One day Jessica jumped up on one of the horses’ backs, so I started teaching them other tricks. ‘I have never read a dog training manual or had any professional help.

Jumping for joy: Mrs Grylls skips with Jessica. She only started training her pets a year-and-a-half ago

Ready for action: Jacob and Jessica train for half an hour in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening

Mrs Grylls started training her dogs after one of them jumped onto her horse's back one day

Best friends: Mrs Grylls said: 'I couldn't live without them' and revealed that the two dogs slept in her bed source: dailymail