HEROIC hound Anya was narrowly pipped to the post in being named the country’s bravest dog.

Police dog Anya was nominated in the Friends For Life category of the prestigious Crufts dog show, but lost the title to lowland rescue dog Brock.

A well-behaved Anya and handler PC Neil Sampson attended the awards ceremony.

Anya, who galliantly saved PC Sampson’s life when he was stabbed last January, had been put up for an award recognising dogs who change people’s lives in their own “unique and special way”.

Anya lept to PC Sampson’s aid when Somalian Essa Suleiman attacked him with a knife as officers responded to a 999 call in Liden.

Despite being injured herself, German shepherd Anya was determined to serve and protect, and grappled Suleiman to the ground.

Crufts viewers were shown a video of PC Sampson and his four-legged friend in which he said: “How can you replace a dog, who every time I look at her I say thank you?

“If anyone tries to take her away from me they would have a fight on their hands.”