When his owner cries Walkies!, Suggs the Staffordshire bull terrier gets his skates on.

For the clever canine has his own set of wheels for outings to the park. The four-year-old daredevil dog jumps on a skateboard and goes for a ride.

It's just one of the tricks that Suggs hopes will impress the judges at the first ever Wag & Bone Show, to be held at Ascot racecourse on August 16.

The terrier is panting with anticipation after being given the chance to become Pup Idol Of The Year 2003.

The show will have three categories – a talent contest, heelwork to music and beauty and brains.

Suggs, whose owner, Jo-Ann Essex, runs the Luton-based Scruffy Dogs grooming parlour, will be demonstrating some of his specialities for the judges. These include saying his prayers, bowing, pretending to have a sore paw and, of course, skateboarding.

Jo-Ann, 28, who also has three other dogs, two of them 'Staffies', described Suggs's antics as "quite amazing".

She said: "He's a bit special. As soon as I put the skateboard down in the garden he stands on it. Sometimes he also picks it up.

"I'm teaching him something new for the show, which involves acting out a scene from Lassie.

"He comes up to me and barks and then takes me to see him rescue a cat from a well and put it in a bucket."

Jo-Ann, who lived in Villiers Close, Luton, before she moved to Flitwick last month, also has a real cat at home which Suggs gets on well with.

The incredible terrier has had advanced obedience and agility training sessions and has also competed at world-famous dog show Crufts, where he came second in his class last year and was third the year before.

Suggs will be facing tough competition at the Wage & Bone Show from other Pup Idol wannabes.

All profits from the event will go towards helping animals in the care of the National Canine Defence League, the Blue Cross, Battersea Dogs Home, the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, PDSA, RSPCA and Wood Green Animal Shelters.

Other attractions include the Canine Triathlon, Children's Zone and an opportunity for visitors and their dogs to try to break a Guinness record by taking part in the world's biggest 'sit'.

Fot further details visit www.thewagandboneshow.co.uk