Fifers scoop awards at Crufts

Forty four dogs and their owners were victorious and took home a host of awards including Best of Breed, Best Puppy Good Citizen Dog Scheme and more.

James, a Gordon Setter and owner David Alcorn from Crossgates, won the grand final of the first ever Kennel Club Vulnerable British & Irish Breeds competition and then went on to win Best in Group for Gundog breeds.

David said: “This has been an incredible day, really fantastic. It’s been non-stop and James has never stopped performing. He loves the big ring and the atmosphere and he always rises to the challenge. Winning the Vulnerable British & Irish Breeds competition and then going back into the main arena for the gundog group is the stuff dreams are made of.”

The Kennel Club launched the new competition to raise awareness of these breeds and to recognise those who are dedicated to their survival and prosperity.

Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon, is credited with establishing the breed we now know as the Gordon Setter. Some records show the early version of the Gordon Setter was first recorded as long ago as the sixteenth century.

Gordon Setter numbers decreased during the first half of the 20th Century, as the large shooting estates went into decline. In 1923 only 54 Setters were registered with the Kennel Club. During this period the Gordon Setter was rarely seen outside Scotland. By the end of the Second World War the Gordon was becoming more popular as a family pet rather than a working gundog. However, in 2015 only 234 Gordon Setters were registered with the Kennel Club and it is therefore considered to be a vulnerable breed.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary said: “Congratulations to James and his owner David on this fantastic achievement. To win two major competitions is an incredible achievement. James is doing a fantastic job of promoting the breed on the world’s largest stage and we wish him all every success for Best in Show.”

Fife winners are as follows:

1st place Gundog Group – Messrs D&D, Mrs & Miss Alcorn, with Lourdace Fulcrum, Crossgates;

Best of Breed – Mr & Mrs Cuthbert with Cruaghaire Catoria, Cardenden;

Best Puppy – Mr G Kirkwood with Grajenco Miss Saignon, Largoward; Mrs M E & Mr Aynscough & Mass, Sanja Glenrannoch, Colinsburgh;

1st place Junior Bitch– Mr &Mrs Andison and Peel with Clentry Red Hot N’Smoking, Clentry; Mrs &Mr Hogg, with Woodhenge Starlite Mist at Keltybrae, Kelty;

1st place Good Citizen Dog Scheme – Mrs McCreadie with Varenka the Musketeer, Dunfermline;

1st place Yearling, Miss &Mrs Lindsay & Pipe with Sleepyhollow Mavis, Dunshalt;

First Place Post Graduate – Mr BS, Miss L & Mrs C L Allcock, Lindsay & Pipe with Sleepyhollow Baroque, Cupar;

1st place Yealring Dog – Mrs Stewart with Earnpride Lets Dance, St Andrews;

2nd place Undergraduate – Ms & Miss Walker & Large with Wizaland Whiskey In The Jar, Kirkcaldy;

2nd place Place Minor Puppy and Post Graduate, Mesdames Pritchard, Cornwell & Hill with Prince Yoshi and Mezen Yoshi, Kirkcaldy;

2nd place Good Citizen Dog Scheme – Mr & Mrs McClennan with Russtech Currant Bun, Glenrothes;

2nd place Veteran – Mr & Mrs Smith with Orean Top Gun, Glenrothes;

2nd place Puppy – Mrs Bell with Bryelis Flyght, Lochgelly;

2nd place Limit – Mrs Dobbin with Madame Butterfly, Dunfermline;

2nd place Post Graduate – Mrs Scott with Look Who’s At Degallo, Ladybank;

2nd place Limit – Mrs Connel with Sashas Girl, Auchtermuchty;

2nd place Puppy – Mrs Brunton with Vanitonia, Cupar;

2nd place Open – Mrs Tulleth, Galloway & Anderson with Alayglow;

3rd place Open & Post Graduate – Mrs Hunter with Jotolemaar, Fife;

3rd place Puppy – Mr & Mrs Smith with Rambling Rose, Glenrothes;

3rd place Veteran – Mr & Ms Hunter & Finlayson with Varenka the Marksman, Crossgates;

3rd place Limit – Mr Todd with Waterloo Sunset, Cowdenbeath;

3rd place Limit – Mr Gold with Jorgei Aurora, Leven; 3rd place Post Graduate – Mr & Mrs K Andison & Peel with Clentry Red or Dead, Clentry;

3rd place Open – Mrs Rance with Weemaes Piper, Dunfermline;

3rd place Open – Miss Scott with Degallo, Ladybank;

3rd place Veteran, Yearling – Mr & Mrs Wyllie with Tangaer Rhapsody and Callydena Diamond, Auchtermuchty;

3rd place Post Graduate – Mrs Connell with Sophies Girl, Auchtermuchty;

3rd place Open – Mrs Scott with Degallo, Cupar;

3rd place Puppy – Ms Aynscough with Sanja Glenflagler, Colinsburgh;

4th place Yearling – Mr & Mrs Walker with Stevie Nicks, Thornton;

4th place Puppy - Mrs J Stirling with Windwalker Easy To Love, Glenrothes;

4th place Post Graduate – Mrs, Mr & Miss Rudham with Jazala, Burntisland;

4th place Limit – Mrs Caulfield with Black Pearl, Glenrothes; 4th place Junior – Mr & Ms Andison & peel with Clentry Aberdeen Angus, Clentry;

4th place Open – Miss & Mrs Lindsay & Pipe with Sleepyhollow Sapphire, Dunshalt;

5th place Limit – Mr & Mrs Davidson with Star Gazer, Glenrothes;

5th place Puppy – Mr Douglas with Plainfire’s Quintessential, Strathmiglo.