A stray dog that joined a runner on a 155-mile race across the Gobi desert has arrived in Scotland to live with him.

Dion Leonard and a stray border terrier became stars of the desert marathon in China in June 2016.

Dion Leonard, 41, traveled to China to compete in the Gobi March, part of the 4 Deserts race in June of 2016, and he struck up an unlikely friendship with the dog during the race. 

The adorable pooch, who was named "Gobi" by the runners, is only about 18 months old. Joining all the competitors from the start on the cooler side of Tian Shan range, Gobi then decided to stick with Leonard, and they went over to the Black Gobi Desert despite the scorching heat. However, he had to leave Gobi at the finishing line and hoped to bring her home to Edinburgh.

Leonard launched a crowdfunding campaign on July 27 to raise the ￡5,000 needed to cover the medical and quarantine costs in order to "bring Gobi home," and the target was fully funded within 24 hours.

They arrived in Edinburgh on January 3 — Leonard's 42nd birthday — after Gobi had spent several months in quarantine in east Asia. The ultra-marathon runner announced their arrival on Facebook, saying:"Best birthday present ever."

A stray dog that joined a runner on a 155-mile race across the Gobi desert has arrived in Scotland to live with him.