Top dogs

The special Dog Dayz event, held on 20 June at the Black Isle Show was voted to be a great fun day out by all the four-legged participants, with some very proud pooch owners taking home well deserved prizes.

Organised by The Highland, the well attended show attracted people from all over the Highlands who were treated to a display of Husky dog racing around the track with to chance to admire 40 Husky dogs all looked after by a specialist welfare group. The Northern Constabulary dog handlers gave a demonstration that highlighted the agility, fitness and obedience of their dogs. This was followed by a mini sheep dog trial by Ewan Mackinnon and Ian Mackay who worked with their alert dogs to successfully round up a small herd of sheep. Also in action in the arena were the Moray Firth Gun Dogs Club whose dogs delighted the crowd with a display of their skills as well as members of the Highland Agility Club. The club had held their main competition the day before but held their knock out competition during the show for onlookers to enjoy.

As well as professional displays there was a fun dog show to enter on the day, organised with assistance from Mr and Mrs White from Urray Labradors which attracted an incredible 170 entries. The difficult job of judging entries went to Mrs Mackenzie from Conan Mains and her steward for the day Mrs Val Rolfe.

Delighted on how well the event had gone the Council's Dog Warden Nel MacDonald Rolfe said: "This event, to raise awareness about being a responsible dog owner, was an incredible success and I would like to thank everyone and their four-legged friends who came along to support it. Watching the professional dogs go through their paces was impressive and it was great to see so many dog owners with healthy, well cared for and happy pets. I would like to particularly mention and thank the Black Isle Farmers Society, Rob and Carol Morley, Mrs Mackenzie, Mrs Val Rolfe, Mr and Mrs White, the Moray Gun Dog Display Team, Ian Mackay, Ewan Mackinnon, and the police dog handlers."

The winners of the fun dog show categories were:

* Waggiest Tail Mr
J Sanderson and Tyson

* Dog most like its owner Mrs K
Wemyss and Mabo

* Scruffiest dog
Liza Brock and Poppy

* Best six legs
Julie Sutherland and Misha

* Prettiest Bitch
Carole Lawrence and Skye

* Most Handsome Dog Patricia
Paterson and Scamp

* Best rescue dog Mary
McArthur and Sheara

* Dog judge would like to take home Issy McConville and Diesel

The Council will be attending the Black Isle show on the 4th and 5th with a micro-chipping service being offered on Thursday 5th. Also in August they will be visiting the Moy Game Fair for two days, one of which they will spend offering more micro-chipping for dog owners.