A test of his speed and endurance, two-year-old Hooch covered 404.1 kilometres over three weeks at an average speed of 10.59 kilometres per hour.

Victorian dog Boof took out the title in a close battle, Cobber brand manager Marika O’Leary said.

“The great thing about this year’s competition was just how close it was. We never knew who was going to win it, even until the last day,” she said.

Tunbridge entrant, Clyde, placed seventh and covered almost 217 kilometres during three weeks.

By the end of the competition the 12 dogs had run more than 3600 kilometres, which is almost the distance to Perth from Bridport.