A Scot has been named as the UK's best dog photographer.
A striking image by Catherine Laurenson from Glasgow, illustrating the herding instincts of her Border Collie, Max, has taken the overall prize in this year's Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year competition.
It beat off competition from 5000 other canine images to win the prestigious annual competition run by the Kennel Club.
Catherine said: "Photographing animals is my passion and I'm absolutely delighted to have won this award.
"The photograph is of Max, our working collie at home on our farm in Shetland, although he is more of a part-timer these days!
"I currently live in Glasgow and work as a livestock photographer, so I'm more used to photographing cattle and sheep. I travel the country visiting farms and can never resist snapping the dogs that are around. If there's a dog in the house it almost always gets its picture taken!”
She wins the Dog Photographer of the Year trophy, a glamorous Uggie dog collar from Holly and Lil, and a framed print of her winning shot. Her image will be on display throughout London's leading dog event, Discover Dogs which takes place at Earls Court on November 10 and 11.
Professional dog photographer Nick Ridley, one of the judges of the competition, said: "Congratulations to Catherine on this wonderful image. The Border Collie is a highly intelligent and active breed and she has managed to capture both of these characteristics in a single shot.
"We can reflect upon this image and consider the natural instincts that reside in every dog breed - there are 210 dog breeds in the UK all with different traits and characteristics. This image, as well as a number of others in the competition, informs its viewer about exactly why that breed of dog is so unique."
The competition has been taking place annually for seven years. For the first time in its history, the competition was free to enter. In previous years, the entry fee was donated to the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, the charity which looks after the health and welfare of all dogs. Despite the free entry, many people still donated money and over £1,000 was raised for the charity.
The competition consists of six categories: Portrait, Man’s Best Friend, Dogs At Play, Dogs At Work, Puppy and I Love Dogs Because – a category specifically for those aged 16 and under.
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