Skye, an Akita/Bulldog, from Alness was chosen as top dog at our 3^rd Helmsdale Dog Show earlier this month to the delight of owner Greg. Skye, who also won Best Cross Breed, was up against 38 other competitors to win the accolade.

Over 100 people were in attendance to watch as the dogs went up against each other in 11 categories, including Best Pedigree, Best Veteran and Waggiest Tail. Competitors gathered from villages across Sutherland, including Bonar Bridge, Brora, Golspie, Helmsdale, Portgower and Rogart. Others travelled a greater distance from Alness, Invergordon, Inverness and Portmahomack. Most impressive though, were those who hailed from Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy and Puddletown (Dorset). Beccy Clay, owner of Tess the Pointer/Setter made the journey for the third year running from Drumbeg.

As well as the competition categories, each dog was able to take part in the Fastest Recall challenge in which the time it took them to reach their owner, with a number of distractions along the way, was recorded. The fastest small dog, Kayla the Shih Tzu (owned by Nicki Hughes from Brora), and fastest large dog, Skye the Border Collie (owned by Hannah Munro from Portmahomack) received an engraved glass from Alsorts Arts and Crafts to mark their win and some Tecxys herby dog treats, made by Sandra Mackenzie in Rogart.

The Judge on the day, for the second year running, was Annabell Broom from Aunty Annabell’s Dog Training. Annabell had her work cut out for her with 26 different breeds in total. The final category of the Show was the Dog the Judge would most like to take home. After much deliberation, Annabell chose Mac of Springfield the Teckel, owned by young Ailsa Shaw from Helmsdale.

Mini Reiki sessions with Kareen were available on the day for both dogs and owners. Tea, coffee, soup, sandwiches and home baking were on offer in the Community Centre hall, alongside table-top displays from The Highland Hound, Crafty Crofter, Yvonne’s Wee Honesty Box, Highlands of Scotland Pets as Therapy, Weaving Heart Wood, SSPCA, Jo Henderson’s Crafts, and the Helmsdale Village Hub Pop-Up Shop.

For the third year, Easter Ross Vets very kindly supported the cost of rosettes for the winners. A variety of raffle prizes were on offer courtesy of a number of local businesses and individuals including Maisie’s Daisies, Spar Helmsdale, La Mirage and Nicki Hughes.

The Helmsdale Dog Show is organised and run by our Helmsdale Village Hub and the event raised £830, which will go towards the running of the  Hub.

Wendy Simmonds, Hub Project Lead said: “We had such a wonderful turn-out this year. It was great to see many familiar faces and some new competitors too. Our thanks must go to all of those individuals and organisations who were involved, including Annabell Smith, Easter Ross Vets, Ossie and Kareen from Rogart, Waverly Engineering, our volunteers, those who had tables in the hall and everyone who came along on the day. The Dog Show seems to be growing year on year, which is great to see. Our dogs are family and it’s great to have a day especially for them. We’re also very pleased that the rain stayed away this time after a couple of very wet Dog Shows in the past!”

Results from Helmsdale Dog Show

Best Pedigree

1^st: Boorach (3 yrs), Red & White Irish Setter. Owner: Dean Cowie, Helmsdale

2^nd: Mac of Springfield (7 yrs), Teckel. Owner: Ailsa Shaw, Helmsdale

3^rd: Balach (9 mths), working Cocker Spaniel. Owner: Ian Whitehead, Helmsdale

Best Cross-breed

1^st: Skye (1 yr), Akita/Bull. Owner Greg, Alness

2^nd: Marcie (2 yrs), Jack Russell/Chihuahua. Owner: Jenny Morrison, Inverness

3^rd: Lexi (3 yrs), Staffie/Akita. Owner: Mandy Baird, Bonar Bridge

Best small dog

1^st: Cassie (12 months), West Highland Terrier. Owner: Chris Gray, Edinburgh

2^nd: Kayla (2 yrs), Shih Tzu. Owner: Nicki Hughes, Brora

3^rd: Percy (6 yrs), Chihuahua. Owner: Hilary Michael, Brora

Best large dog

1^st: Fionn (7 yrs), Labrador Retriever. Owner: Carol Grant, Kirkcaldy

2^nd: Mackie (2 yrs), Sprocker. Owner: Allan Bokas, Helmsdale

3^rd: Tess (13 yrs), Pointer/Setter. Owner: Beccy Clay, Drumbeg

Best veteran

1^st: Hettie (11 yrs), Bedlington Terrier. Owner: Hilary Michael, Brora

2^nd: Titch (7 yrs), Border Terrier. Owner: A M Wallis, Invergordon

3^rd: Macy (11 yrs), Chocolate Labrador. Owner: Carol Pann, Puddletown

Best in Show

1^st: Skye (1 yr), Akita/Bull. Owner: Greg, Alness

2^nd: Boorach (3 yrs), Red & White Irish Setter. Owner: Dean Cowie, Helmsdale

Brightest eyes

1^st: Sasha (4 yrs), Border Collie. Owner: Keith Cookson, Helmsdale

2^nd: Zara (18 mths), German Shepherd. Owner: Ossie Ross, Rogart

3^rd: Tikka (5 yrs), Labrador. Owner: Caitlin Martin, Helmsdale

Best turned out

1^st: Kayla (2 yrs), Shih Tzu. Owner: Nicki Hughes, Brora

2^nd: Archie (5 yrs), Cairn Terrier. Owner: Robin Macleod, Helmsdale

3^rd: Garty (4 yrs), Cocker Spaniel. Owner: Alister Jappy, Helmsdale

Waggiest tail

1^st: Shon (7 yrs), Cocker Spaniel. Owner: S Swinton, Invergordon

2^nd: Marcie (2 yrs), Jack Russell/Chihuahua. Owner: Jenny Morrison, Inverness

3^rd: Tullie (3 yrs), Springador. Owner: Tani, Invergordon

Best biscuit catcher

1^st: Garty (4 yrs), Cocker Spaniel. Owner: Alister Jappy, Helmsdale

2^nd: Fionn (7 yrs), Labrador Retriever. Owner: Carol Grant, Kirkcaldy

3^rd: Koda (7 yrs), Alaskan Malamute. Owner: Tony Harris, Portgower

Dog the judge would most like to take home

1^st: Mac of Springfield (7 yrs), Teckel. Owner: Ailsa Shaw, Helmsdale

2^nd: Bobby (8 yrs), Border Collie. Owner: Caitlin Munro, Portmahomack

3^rd: Bonny (6 yrs), Chinese Powder Puff. Owner: Isobel Macleod, Helmsdale

Fastest recall (small dog): Kayla (2 yrs), Shih Tzu. Owner: Nicki Hughes, Brora

Fastest recall (large dog): Skye (3 yrs), Border Collie. Owner: Hannah Munro, Portmahomack