Michael Dougherty had the honour of judging Best In Show at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Show. This year saw the introduction of a Reserve Best In Show award and in-keeping with the American tradition of showmanship, this was announced in advance of the ‘big one’.

To a hushed Madison Garden Arena and to millions of Americans watching on live television, not including all those who were monitoring the event on social media and the internet, Reserve Best In Show was the Old English Sheepdog, Bugaboo’s Picture Perfect, owned by Colton & Heather Johnson. ‘Swagger’ was clearly popular with the audience who responded with a roar of approval. Best In Show was the Affenpinscher, GCH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari, handled by Ernesto Lara and co-owned by Zoila ( Tina ) Truesdale and Mieke Cooymans. The roof almost came off with the cheering and applause for ‘Joey’, a favourite of both the audience and yours truly, as everyone rose from their seats to show their approval.

EACH year, Pedigree host an amazing event in Dubai which attracts over 30,000 people from across the United Arab Emirates.

This year the dog show, with some 400 entries - including a class of 15 Salukis - was judged by David and Angela Cavill and Karina La Mere and Glynn Payne.

Having had to decline previous invitations to judge in Russia we were pleased that on this occasion we were able to accept. Little did we realise that within a matter of days we would receive a call from Hong Kong inviting us to judge for them a week later.