A dog rehoming charity has commissioned a best in show prize which is not to be sniffed at – a custom made trophy bearing a portrait of the winning pooch.
Dawgs will host its annual family fun day on Sunday in Aberdeen, and has organised the unique top prize to mark its 20th year.
Alford artist Alan Sinclair has been tasked with engraving an image of the best in show winner on a rock tablet glass.
Mr Sinclair, who volunteers for the charity with his wife, learned the art of sandblasting and freehand engraving 40 years ago, but switched his focus to wildlife photography.
Now he is combining the two talents, and is looking forward to seeing the end results on the trophy.
Mr Sinclair, of Lesley Crescent, Alford, said: ”
“My wife is good at roping people into things, so I was asked by Dawgs to engrave this trophy.
“I’ll take a photograph of the winning dog and then hand engrave it onto the trophy.
“The rock tablet is from Dingwall and it’s unique, and since I hand engrave all my work, it can never be replicated exactly. It’s freehand, so both the tablet and engraving are unique so it makes it quite special.”
Charity chairman Ian Paterson said: “For the last 20 years the welfare and well-being of dogs of all ages and breeds has been at the heart of Dawgs’ work.
“Our best in show is as likely to be an 11-year-old cross-breed as a pedigree, but is loved and treasured and that is something we want for all dogs.”
The free family fun day will be held at Hazlehead Games Arena on Sunday from noon-4pm. The dog shows start at 12.30pm, with registration from 11.30am.