The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Rosettes all round as clever dogs do their Angus owners proud
Trio of dog lovers delighted to have tasted success in Birmingham
A trio of Angus dog lovers are returning home with big smiles and wagging tails after scooping a haul of prizes from Crufts.
Sunday was a day of early celebrations for Erin Logie from Barry, Carnoustie, and her Large Munsterlander called Scout.
Two days before her 20th birthday, Erin and Scout, otherwise known as Albadhu Paws for Perfection, won Dog Challenge Certificate and Reserve Best of Breed.
Erin, a receptionist for Parkside Vets, is no newcomer to Crufts, having competed since the age of four.
Seven-year-old Scout was bred by Erin’s mother, Nicky, who said: “We bred Scout ourselves but he lives with us as Erin’s boyfriend is allergic to dogs.
“We have Scout’s mum and his granddad. His mother also got top brood bitch of the year at Crufts. Erin has competed at Crufts in the agility and dog obedience classes when she was younger.”
After their victory Erin took to Facebook saying: “I’m still in shock – can’t believe it. He was super, so proud of him. Such a special day.”
A dedicated young dog trainer from Angus also returned home triumphant after her second visit to Crufts.
Megan Watson, 15, from Arbirlot, was part of the Scottish team competing in the Inter Regional Rally competition at the acclaimed dog show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
She travelled down on Wednesday with her proud mum Katharine (Kat) and her two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Charlie and Ruby.
Megan and Ruby competed in the young kennel club’s agility and jumping classes but, despite a clear round, they were not placed.
However, up stepped Megan and her three-year-old Charlie’s A Darling, who put on a memorable performance as part of the Scottish rally obedience team.
Kat said: “They finished fourth; Megan was over the moon and I was so very proud.
“It was a big surprise as Charlie is normally quite shy at these things but he was fantastic.
“Megan trains on a Tuesday night and helps at dog training classes run by Margaret Hudson. She also trains on Saturday and Sunday at Crombie.”
Megan’s fourth place at Level 1, along with a first place at Level 2 from Pam Cuthbert, Dundee, and her four-yearold Border Collie Maccadale; a fourth place in Level 3 for Karyn Thomson from Renfrew and her eight-year-old crossbreed Bailey Bongolight and third place in Level 4 for Amy Jackson from Glenrothes and In a Minute Jess, saw the Scottish team finish in third place overall.
Rally is the latest dog sport to be recognised by the Kennel Club.
It involves the owner and dog working as a team to navigate a course with numbered signs indicating different exercises to perform.
Forfar dog breeder Donna Clubb hit the big time when her two-year-old Hungarian Vizsla Finn was named best in breed.
The accolade made it a Crufts to remember for his 46-year-old owner, who joined thousands of other canine lovers in descending on the West Midlands for the 127th staging of the world’s largest dog show.
Customer service manager Donna, who has been going to Crufts for more than 30 years, said: “We have won the best of breed at other shows but this is out of this world.
“It was totally unexpected. There were tears in my eyes. I was nervous about being on TV, but it will be a moment I will never forget.”