Top young dogs and handlers hoping to gain place in Scottish team

Five of the top young dogs from the north of Scotland are heading for Stranraer this weekend to compete in the Scottish Inter-District Nursery Final.

Ten areas from all over Scotland will put forward a team of five dogs and their handlers to compete in the hope of gaining a place in the Scottish team that will travel to Stafford later in the month to compete in the Four Nations competition.

The North of Scotland Nursery League hosted nine trials across the Highlands and Aberdeenshire from October to February. Venues included Staffin in Skye, Durness in Sutherland and Huntly and Udny in Aberdeenshire.

Competitors completed up to 3700 miles of travelling and around 84 driving hours in order to gain cumulative points which eventually earned them a place in the team.

Dogs have to be no older than two years old on January 1 to compete in the suite of nursery trials each year.

This year’s team members are George Simpson (Huntly) with Greiston Mick, Jasmine Grant (Dunbeath) with Nell, Ian Sutherland (Strathnaver) with Heilan Cap (Dan), Daniel Worthington (Scarfskerry) with Albert (Bob) and Harry Cooper (New Deer) with Roy. Reserve is Neil Sutherland (Strathnaver) with Usk Vale Rex.

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