Twin Moray triumphs at Crufts
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Two Moray owners are celebrating after their dogs won their respective categories at Crufts.
Karen Forbes gained best of breed with her Cesky terrier Houska, while Lynne Bowley did the same with Cooper, a Bracco Italiano.
Lynne, a teacher at Elgin Academy, has been showing Bracci Italiani for more than 20 years.
Like its name suggests, the Bracco Italiano breed originates in Italy.
Lynne said: "They are quite Italian in terms of their temperament – they're a lot of fun and quite unpredictable.
"It's certainly a challenge to train them – but that's what I like."
Lynne's latest victory at the world's best-known dog show means she's now a five-times winner, with Cooper following in the footsteps of his dad, Lexus, who triumphed in 2020.
In addition, Bracci Italiani trained and bred by her have twice won the same prize for other owners.
Cruffs is held each March at the NEC in Birmingham.
Lynne travelled down from Moray the day beforehand with Cooper and Lexus, plus her other three Bracci Italiani – Lulu, Logan and Mica.
It was one of ten road trips she makes every year to various champion shows across the UK, the nearest of which is in Edinburgh.
The twin Moray victories at Crufts were also a triumph for Banff, Moray and Nairn Canine Club, because while Lynne is the group's president, Karen is its secretary.
Karen, who's from Garmouth and a youth worker, said: "I'm so proud of Houska. In fact, I'm really proud of all my dogs.
"First and foremost, they are pets. The shows are just a bit of added fun on top."
Again, like their names suggests, Cesky Terriers originate in the Czech Republic and were originally bred as 'silent' hunting dogs who wouldn't disturb their prey by barking.
Karen comes from a family of animal lovers.
Her mum, Daveena, who lives just round the corner, helps to look after Houska, along with Karen's other dogs.
That's three more Cesky Terriers – April, Disney and Vera – plus Luna, a Glen of Imaal Terrier, who last year was named the UK's top dog for the breed.
Meanwhile, Karen's daughter, Caitlin, a veterinary nurse in Glasgow, is also heavily involved in the dog show world, owning Solo, a West Highland Terrier, and Elphie, an Australian Shepherd Dog.
