DOGGED determination has helped a pet with an amputated toe fight her way back to world championship winning-form.

The show career of Minky the bearded cross border collie seemed all but over when she injured her foot in a tunnel while competing.

Her toe couldn't be saved and a vet had to amputate - leaving Minky unable to walk.

But less than a year after the accident, Minky has been crowned biathlon champion in the dog agility world championships held in Belgium.

The speedy hound pipped a Russian dog to the title by 0.01 of a second and bounded away with a gold medal and a trophy. She also picked up two silver medals for individual agility.

The five-year-old pet impressed the judges with her speed and grace around the course.

Minky's owner Dawn Weaver, of Portland, said: "After the accident I thought it was all over for her.

"We spent hours and hours working together and it was devastating.

"We didn't know whether she would be able to take part in a competition ever again.

"It was three weeks after the operation before she could even walk again and about four or five months before she could run."

When she made her comeback at the world championships, Minky wowed the judges with her performance.

Dawn said: "Everyone who meets her falls in love with her. She never stops wagging her tail. When she got out there to take part people could not believe that she was running with just three toes.

"It's such a high level of competition and I never expected her to do so well.

"I'd really like to thank all the staff at Fielding and Cumber vets in Weymouth who looked after Minky."

Dawn and Minky are now looking ahead to other agility competitions later in the year.