A WINCHESTER pooch has won a national competition to find the ultimate tale of unconditional love.

Piccolo, who stands at just ten inches tall, warded off a mugger as his owner Charlie Preston and 18-month-old daughter Lilly waited in a parked car on Magpie Lane in Eastleigh last September.

The mugger forced open the door of the Vauxhall Corsa and demanded Ms Preston get out.

They were waiting for her partner Rob Smart as he picked up an item bought online for their home.

At the time Ms Preston, of Charles Close in Winchester, called Piccolo a “little hero”.

She said: “God knows what could have happened if it wasn’t for my dog, my daughter and I could have been in real trouble. If he had got me out of the car he could have hurt or abducted my baby girl.”

Now the spotlight is back on the Chihuahua, who has won the national ‘I Woof You’ competition run by BorrowMyDoggy, who connect dog owners with local borrowers.

The judges were inspired by the bravery of Piccolo, who jumped on Lilly’s lap and barked loudly, causing the mugger to run off.

BorrowMyDoggy have donated £500 to Dogs Trust on behalf of Piccolo’s owners, and he has also won doggie prizes and a photo shoot.