Carluke & District Canine Society

 Carluke & District Canine Society

Saturday 20 December 2025

I was very privileged to be invited to judge the YKC handling classes at Carluke & District Canine Society – Premier Open Show after winning their Best Junior Handler in Show for the previous three shows. I felt very honoured to have an amazing entry in the 6-11 class and 12-17 class, every handler was compassionate and caring towards their dog. One thing I did notice was that only a handful of handlers showed the teeth clearly, which is definitely an area to improve on. 

In the challenge for Best Junior Handler, I asked for the handlers to go across and back and positioned my feet to the corner which all three handlers did with ease. 

Class: YKC 6-11 Years 

1st – Layla Duncan – Layla is a very lovely and polite handler that always shows her dog to make sure it looks its best. Layla presented the dog’s teeth well especially on a breed with a flatter face; it did take her a couple times but she stayed calm and was very encouraging to her dog. She answered my questions with confidence and repositioned her dog’s foot after I moved it to ensure her dog was standing correctly at all times. I asked for a triangle and a straight up and down, Layla completed this with ease even though her dog was acting up. She stayed calm and ensured he was walking at the correct pace again, Layla showed her dog well and always said ‘Thank you’ after completing her table work and movement. I was pleased to award Layla Best Junior Handler in Show today. 

2nd – Farrah Macdonald – Farrah is a lovely handler, she was always smiling and talking to her dog. Farrah did a nice job on the table; she answered the questions I asked with ease and made sure to keep her dog comfortable. Farrah showed the teeth okay and I would just suggest Farrah tilts her dog’s head up towards the judge and remember to keep fingers out the way. She moved her dog’s foot back to the correct position after I moved it. On the move Farrah gaited her dog at the correct pace and she was always smiling and talking to her dog which is lovely to see, she shadowed her dog correctly and stood her dog the right space away from me after her movement. Being hyper critical when moving round to join the end of the line Farrah’s lead wasn’t fully wrapped up in her hand and looked slightly messy. 

3rd – Daphne Bryson 

4th – Abbie Smith 

5th – Konan Maver 

YKC 12-17 Years

1st – Abigail Kirkwood-Emery – Abigail is another lovely handler who shows her dog off to its absolute best. Her table work was neat and she showed the teeth correctly and I was able to see all of the teeth. Abigail answered my questions correctly and moved her dog’s foot back to the correct position after I moved it. Abigail moved her dog at the correct pace and was very encouraging to her dog when it didn’t want to move. Abigail’s lines were straight I would have preferred tighter corners. Abigail positioned her dog the correct space away from me and shadowed her dog well; she was constantly talking to her dog and stood her dog correctly at all times. In the best junior handler challenge Abigail’s line was not as straight as Layla’s which is why she was given Reserve Best Junior Handler in Show. 

2nd – Karson Maver – Karson did a good job showing his dog, He was very encouraging and kind. Karson showed the teeth well and moved his dog’s foot to the correct position after I moved it. He answered my questions and made sure his dog was always standing correctly. His movement was neat with straight lines his corners could have been neater, Karson stood his dog slightly off centre from my feet after his movement and took a little longer standing his dog, he shadowed his dog well and said thank you after his movement. 

3rd – Alexis Kirkwood-Emery 

4th – Megan Weepers 

5th – Keira Angus 

YKC 18-24 Years 

1st – Carmen Allen – Carmen did a good job with her dog. She stood her dog correctly at all times, Carmen showed the teeth well, though could have tilted her dogs head up slightly so I had a better view of the teeth. Carmen answered my questions well and with ease. She moved the foot to the correct position after I move it. Carmen moved her dog well, I would of liked tighter corners but all round did a good job, she shadowed her dog correctly, she spoke the her dog and gave a very calm and controlled performance. 

Judge: Gemma MacKenzie