A Formby dog is to appear on the final of BBC1 show Perfect Pooch

A #Formby dog is to appear on the final of BBC1 show Perfect Pooch.

Perfect Pooch is a BBC programme where Britain’s hairiest hounds get a makeover on the hunt for Britain’s best dog groomer. Sixteen professionals compete to see who can transform them into the smartest pooches in the land. It is hosed by Sheridan Smith and is on BBC1 on a Thursday.

Judith Hulse has a gorgeous dog called Jack who only has one eye. Having lost an eye when he was just five weeks old due to a litter accident, Jack didn't have the best start in life, but after seeing an advert on Facebook when no one else wanted him, Judith was won over. She's had Jack since he was 10 weeks old.

Jack at Crufts

Jack has his own Facebook page and is somewhat of a celebrity with over 13,000 followers on his One Eyed Jack Daniels page

Judith was sent an advert for the BBC show and asked to share it with Jack's friends. As well as doing this, she also decided to apply for Jack to appear.

Each week on the BBC show, a number of adorable dogs enter the Pooch Parlour for a doggy makeover. And from this week, which is the start of the quarter finals, an extra challenge has been introduced called 'Dogology'.

The groomers will be tested on their knowledge of different dog breeds with them tasked with deciphering both parents of a cross breed.

It is in this challenge that Jack appears on the show, although viewers will have to wait a few more weeks to get a glimpse of the Formby dog as he will be in the final episode which airs on 4th March. The final will see the difficulty of the task cranked up a notch with groomers having to determine the breed of the dog while blindfolded.

After many casting phone calls and emails later, Jack was asked to take part. It was his chilled temperament that sold it with calmer dogs needed for the blindfold challenge.

Border Collies might not be known for their calm nature - they're working dogs and are often full of energy - but Judith described Jack as 'special' with him having a calmer personality than what is commonly known for his breed.

Judith said: "Border Collies can be quite lively dogs but he’s got quite an easygoing nature."

“As well as being one of the four-legged stars of the BBC show and somewhat of a Facebook celebrity, Jack is also a therapy dog for Therapy Dogs Nationwide. He regularly visits patients at Southport Hospital and Queenscourt Hospice.”

“He's been doing that for two and a half years. He absolutely loves it, he’s great, so great.”

"People are very sick and dying and there's a lot of people who are dog lovers...it’s also great for the family, it takes away from that really sad moment."

“Jack makes visits twice a week but unfortunately due to lockdown, this had to stop.”

It was during the very first lockdown that Judith decided to apply for Pooch Perfect. Judith continued: “Because Jack couldn’t do therapy during lockdown, I was finding other things to do with him."

Pooch Perfect was filmed last August and although Judith is looking forward to watching Jack on screen, she wasn't actually allowed on set during filming. Instead she had to drop him off in a designated welfare area and pass over to the care of the show's vet and welfare officer.

Judith was extremely impressed in the way the dogs were cared for. “I’ve got to say, the welfare is absolutely brilliant there. I can’t say just how absolutely brilliant the welfare really was," she said.

Judith popped over to Costa while she waited for Jack.

Just like many other dog lovers, Judith has been glued to Pooch Perfect since it started in January. “I love it, it’s great. I think it’s really good and goes to show just how hard dog groomers work. It’s fun too."

And looking forward to when Jack appears on screen, Judith said: "I can’t wait, it’s been such a long wait since it was filmed in August. I’m quite excited really."

So are we Judith, so are we.

Pooch Perfect is on BBC One at 8pm on Thursdays.