Scotland’s Best Dog

Scotland’s Best Dog is on a quest to find the most cherished canine characters who have heartwarming bonds with their owners. These dogs are more than just pets, they are the life and soul of their families. Along with their proud owners, three pooches will be tested on a number of challenges before a panel of judges including dog-lover Kaye Adams, animal behaviourist River McDonald and SSPCA veteran Alan Grant. Scotland’s Best Dog celebrates the unique bond between some special dogs and the people who love them. Each week, the three judges will individually score the owner-and-dog pairings across three key challenges - recall, bond and agility skills - with the overall heat winner earning a place in the grand final. This week’s proud pet owners and their hopeful hounds are Jo and Miller, Shiny and Picco, and Kaylee and Poppet. These family pets aren’t professional show dogs, and the challenges they will face have been designed to showcase a happy, healthy relationship with our furry friends.

Three more promising pups compete for the Scotland’s Best Dog title, with Bernese mountain dog Brannigan, Luna the miniature Jack Russell and Staffordshire terrier Tonka all showcasing their canine credentials. The three dogs are set three unique challenges which test recall, agility and bond, and are important for dog owners to master in order to create a healthy, happy relationship with their pets. First up is Bernese mountain dog Brannigan, an eight-year-old, adventure-seeking pooch who loves nothing better than exploring the great outdoors with his owner, Charlotte, with the pair regularly taking part in hiking, paddle boarding and canicrossing. Next up is Luna, a one-year-old miniature Jack Russell with a larger-than-life personality. Luna is also a career dog, and often accompanies owner Cassie to her job at a charity that supports adults with learning difficulties. Finally, it’s Tonka, a blue Staffordshire bull terrier from Lockerbie. Along with owner, Yvonne, Tonka’s favourite thing to do is flyball, an action-packed dog sport where teams race over hurdles to catch and return a ball. Brannigan, Luna and Tonka are put through their paces at the Scotland’s Best Dog arena in the hope they will win the heat and secure a place in the grand final.

Three more promising pups compete for the Scotland’s Best Dog title, with Labrador Darcey, deerhound/staffie/bulldog mix Nodens and Australian labradoodle Ro all showcasing their canine credentials. Fox-red labrador retriever Darcey lives in Tayport with her owner, Larissa. According to Larissa, Darcey is a well-trained, obedient dog with a mischievous side. Darcey is the perfect active companion for Larissa and loves nothing more than paddleboarding with her owner. Hailing from Inverness, Nodens is a deerhound/staffie/American bulldog mix whose name was inspired by the mythical dinosaur writings of HP Lovecraft, and owner Emilie is known locally for walking her while wearing a giant dinosaur costume. The last pet to take to the Scotland’s Best Dog arena is Ro, a five-year-old Australian labradoodle from Edinburgh. Owner Sarah is a former vet who set up a charity that provides canine therapy, and Ro has made over 1,000 visits with Sarah to those in need. The three dogs and their owners are tested on three key challenges before judges Kaye Adams, River McDonald and Alan Grant. The winning dog will progress to the grand final and a chance to compete for the coveted Golden Bone trophy.

Three more promising pups compete for the Scotland’s Best Dog title, with a French bulldog, a black labrador and a collie all showcasing their canine credentials. French bulldog Buddy lives on the Black Isle with owner, Sarah, and her husband George. Life hasn’t always been plain sailing for Buddy, who lost an eye after developing an ulcer, but he doesn’t let that slow him down. Hailing from Rosyth, in Fife, black labrador Harper belongs to Scott and his partner, Leila. This one-year-old pooch has made quite an impression on her family, and they can’t imagine life without her . The last pet to take to the Scotland’s Best Dog arena is collie Skye, from the Isle of Mull. Skye may be a family pet, but to owners Andrea and husband Harry, Skye is so much more, and has become a winning addition to their B&B business.

hree more promising pups compete for the Scotland’s Best Dog title, with a black goldendoodle, a Pomeranian and a working cocker spaniel all showcasing their canine credentials. One-year-old black goldendoodle Angus is much loved by his owner, Tony, from Glasgow. After the loss of his mother in 2020, Tony found emotional support in Angus, who he considers his surrogate child. Angus and Tony love going to the beach together, with frisbee-throwing proving to be a particular favourite activity. As well as companionship, Tony credits Angus for helping him finally pass his driving test, allowing them to explore more places together. Next up is Bear the Pomeranian, who lives in Dumfries and Galloway with owner, Meagh, and her partner Lee. Meagh’s childhood dreams of owning a Pomeranian came true two years ago when Lee surprised her with puppy Bear. So much more than a family pet, Bear is a brilliant big brother to Meagh's baby, Luna, and is always around to settle her if she gets upset.

The competition reaches its conclusion as the five finalists are put through their paces in their quest to be named Scotland’s Best Dog 2021 in this special hour-long episode. As it’s the final, the dogs face five challenges before the judges, dog lover Kaye Adams, animal behaviourist River McDonald and Scottish SPCA veteran and dog trainer Alan Grant.