A MAYBOLE photographer has snapped himself first prize in one of the classes of the Kennel Club’s Dog Photographer of the Year competition.

Being his first time, Alasdair MacLeod, entered eight categories in the 12th annual contest along with almost 10,000 entries from 74 different countries around the globe, including Canada, Russia, Brazil and New Zealand.

The categories were: dog portrait, oldies, dogs at work, dogs at play, rescue dogs, man’s best friend, puppies and assistance dogs.

Alasdair won himself first prize in the Assistance Dogs category with an extraordinary image of a Greyhound therapy dog with an RAF Dambuster veteran at a care home in Saltcoats.

He said: “For this category, I contacted charities and spoke to the organisation, Therapet who put me in contact with a group resident care home in Saltcoats.

Ayr Advertiser: Picture entered in 'Dog Portrait' categoryPicture entered in 'Dog Portrait' category

“There is often therapeutic dogs there for the patients and I met rescued Greyhound, Megan, who is owned by Linda Whitby, from Irvine and who is the top Therapet for 2016, during a visit to South Beach Care home in Saltcoats seen in the picture with RAF veteran, Mr Duncan Currie.

“He was a pilot for the Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron, Dam Busters, who has dementia and is 95-years-old.

“I wanted to show how Megan brings a calming and happy experience to the residents at a care home, where she visits on a regular basis. 

“I was just looking for her loving eyes to catch the attention of one of the residents.

“The image of Megan and Duncan shows the two of them naturally bonding, and means a lot to myself as someone who has a family member with dementia. I feel this image shows how dogs are so loving as well as having a calming influence over humans.”

Ayr Advertiser: Picture entered in 'Dogs at Work' categoryPicture entered in 'Dogs at Work' category

The professional photographer not only came first but he also won a donation of £500 for his achievement.

This money will be given, from the Kennel Club on Alasdair’s behalf to a dog charity of his choice, which will be Therapet.

Alasdair added: “I was surprised to be told that I had won [the category] but it was a nice wee surprise when I got the phone call.

“I have given Mr Currie and Megan’s owner a copy of the picture I took as a keep sake.

“The official ceremony is in September in London for the overall photographer of the year so it will be good to see all the other photographs from other people.”

All category winners will have their images on display at the Kennel Club in Mayfair, London and have won a SmugMug business account to showcase their work online, with a one day course at the prestigious Nikon School in London.

They will also received a trophy and exhibition print presented during an award ceremony in September.

Rosemary Smart, chief executive of Kennel Club, added: “The quality of the entries to the dog photographer of the year competition never ceases to amaze.

“This year there has been a huge number of beautifully executed and impressive photographs, making it incredibly difficult for the judges to choose just one winner for the overall prize and a single winning photographer for each category. 

“All of this year’s entrants beautifully captured the qualities that make dogs so very special and dear to our hearts, and we look forward to seeing more work from the winners in the future.”