This glorious fluffball of a dog was the unwitting star of Crufts 2016

 By 
Sam Haysom
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

LONDON -- Forget all those other slobbery pretenders -- at this year's Crufts, there was only one pooch that stole the show.

Introducing Eric, the impressively fluffy Pekingese who captured the Internet's heart during Sunday's dog show action.

ALL HAIL ERIC #crufts2016 pic.twitter.com/QZELlU18FO— GRLTLK (@GRLTLKDJS) March 13, 2016

Some people couldn't believe the waggy little hairball was actually a dog.

#eric or pain au chocolate?? #crufts2016 pic.twitter.com/Llz4eQGZm2— Tierney Brook (@tierney_brook) March 13, 2016

Eric or Fig roll? #crufts2016 pic.twitter.com/Li3DYihNqe— Adam Weighell (@CapitalAdam) March 13, 2016

Others were reminded of a certain Republican candidate.

Donald Trump's hair is about to win #crufts2016 #Trump #Eric pic.twitter.com/ghd3uEeTwJ— Elliot Wagland (@elliotwagland) March 13, 2016

#crufts2016. Knew Eric was moonlighting. (idea via @mrnickharvey ) pic.twitter.com/uY8YACg2rj— Tiernan Douieb (@TiernanDouieb) March 13, 2016

Mostly, though, people just couldn't get enough of Eric.

I'm rooting for #Eric #Crufts2016.

Anything that weird looking should be celebrated pic.twitter.com/jPWMMjVrvG— Steven Butler (@sbutlerbooks) March 13, 2016

You better bloody win #eric #crufts2016 pic.twitter.com/43EZ5Uo8L5— Matthew Retallick (@FranzFunker) March 13, 2016

And, when he finally didn't win, there was widespread outrage.

Commiserations to Eric! Some say he mopped the floor with the opposition. #crufts2016 pic.twitter.com/Nf6EQGhLIM— Tony Shepherd (@tonysheps) March 13, 2016

Eric was robbed #crufts2016 pic.twitter.com/d2EpFB5RDe— Mary Mc Intyre (@Mc1988) March 13, 2016

Still, if it'd been up to the public, Eric surely would have walked away as champion.

You may have lost out, Eric, but you will always be the people's champion. #crufts2016 pic.twitter.com/5T42RsJd9L— Dan Lovering (@LedburyGas) March 13, 2016

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