BBC NEWS | UK | Wales | Fighter teaches dog to kick-box

Fighter teaches dog to kick-box

Meet Ringo Tsar - a dog who can pack a knock-out punch with his paws.

Owner Russ Williams has trained the 15-month-old black Russian terrier in the art of kick-boxing.

Mr Williams, from Caerwys in north Wales, is a former world champion in the martial art.

"If there was a British Thai boxing championship for dogs then Ringo would win paws-down every time," he said. "There are a few humans he could beat as well."

Mr Williams, who runs a gym and a security firm, said he came up with the idea after seeing Ringo play-fighting with another dog.

"All his strength seems to be in his legs," he explained. "I just thought about how I could develop that.

"I have only been training him for three weeks but he has picked it up really quickly and is incredibly strong.

"He can jump and kick to command with his two front feet at a punch bag or kick pad.

"It seems much better to teach a guard dog to do this than to bite."

Russian black terriers, also known as Russkiy Tchiorny terriers, were specially bred in the former USSR and originally used by the authorities for riot control.