MSP Emma Harper’s Border collie tops inaugural Holyrood Dog of the Year competition

Emma Harper MSP and Maya - Image credit: Jenni Davidson/Holyrood

SNP MSP Emma Harper’s Border collie Maya has been named the inaugural Holyrood Dog of the Year.

MSPs from all parties took a break from political campaigning today for some doggy-related competiveness.

Fifteen MSPs entered the first competition to be held at the Scottish Parliament for MSP’s four-legged companions.

The event was organised by the Kennel Club and the Dogs Trust to raise awareness of issues relating to dogs, such as puppy farming.

As well as MSPs’ own dogs, several dogs who are currently in the care of the Dogs Trust and in need of homes were loaned to MSPs for the event, where they all vied to claim the title of top dog.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson sponsored the event and was one of the judges, which also involved a doggy obstacle course.

Maya took top place, with Dogs Trust bulldog Astra – accompanied by Conservative MSP Bill Bowman – coming in second and former environment minister Richard Lochhead’s terrier Cinder in third.

Ahead of the event, the Kennel Club also ran an online poll of all the dogs on their website, with the public vote won by Green MSP Mark Ruskell’s greyhound Bert.