A CANINE'S misadventures have landed him on the operating table more than eight times and his owners with a £10,000 vet bill.

Sam, a six-year-old black Labrador from Lancaster, has this week been hailed Britain's Pluckiest Pooch' because of his ability to bounce back from almost anything.

Sam was diagnosed with premature arthritis as a pup and shocked everyone with his liveliness despite his debilitating disease.

Owner Anne Hughes says nothing deters him from larking around with Zack, a seven-year-old Border Collie and a playful four-year-old Golden Retriever George.

But his antics have landed Sam into all sorts of pickles.

"He surprised everyone the way he was still so active after being diagnosed with the hereditary illness," says Anne, of Lancaster, whose pet insurance company has forked out for the bills.

"He bombs about with the other dogs and is so determined to do whatever they do but he is really clumsy, which has landed him in bother."

Sam had to undergo several operations on his legs and elbows as a seven-month-old pup because of his illness, but within 12 months he was back on all paws.

He carried on tumbling around with his other four-legged friends, which left him with a dislocated knee and a broken tibia and facing a string of operations from 1999 until 2003.

"The other dogs are brilliant with him and seem to know that he wants to be doing what they are able to do. But when he is recovering they calm down until he is better and can join in it's really lovely," says Anne.

She admits being relieved she decided to take out pet insurance with Petplan, who have bestowed Sam with the top title, as it has saved her from plummeting into debt.

"It would have been very expensive for me, although I would have still done it if I hadn't been insured.

"I would have gone into debt and would have sold my car and house if I had to as I never would have got rid of him.

"He's still a lunatic but is a remarkable dog - it's all been worth it," she adds.

Anne now has her fingers crossed as Sam has just enjoyed 12 months without any injuries for the first time in his life.