Two young Moray pet owners will be hoping to take the lead in a top dog competition at the weekend.
Seven-year-old Calum Taylor, seven, and Kirsty Wynne, 16, will put their pooches on parade when they take part in the Scottish Kennel Club’s junior handler of the year contest in Cumbernauld.
Alves youngster Calum will be handling cavalier King Charles spaniel Jazz in the age 6-12 group.
Kirsty, from Elgin, has been handling dogs since she was eight and will be showing Boston terrier Desmond in the 12-17 age category at Sunday’s event.
Calum’s mum, Joanna Cockburn, said: “The most important thing when handling a dog is having a good bond with it.
“Calum spends hours with Jazz. Every day when he’s finished with his homework he’s out taking her a walk, brushing her and playing with her.
“He’s a natural with her, and I think I’m more nervous about the competition than he is.
“Calum is totally dog-obsessed, and Kirsty is just the same.
“They both have a real passion for it.”
During the weekend’s event the young handlers will have to escort their pets through certain patterns and movements, with marks being awarded for how well dogs are presented.
Local handling expert Karen Forbes has been guiding Calum and Kirsty through lessons in how to best show their pets.
Both youngsters are longstanding members of the Banff, Moray and Nairn Canine Club.
The pair both qualified for Sunday’s national championship event last spring, when Calum was showing Jazz and Kirsty was parading her grandparents’ boxer dog Harvey.