Every dog has its day and Manny the Border Collie could be about to have hers.
The 11-month-old from Dalgety Bay is in the running to scoop the coveted title of Scotland’s Ambassadog, a canine ambassador to represent the spirit of Scotland around the world.
The mountain-loving pooch is one of just nine to be shortlisted in the VisitScotland competition which attracted more than 200 entries from across the country.
Delighted owner Vicky Gorn said judges, including representatives from the Dogs’ Trust and TV personality Kaye Adams, would be barking up the right tree if they picked Manny.
“We’re out and about all the time climbing Munros in different parts of Scotland and going into random pubs here and there,” she said.
“She’s non-stop and I swear she almost has a smile from ear to ear when she’s out on the hills.”
Vicky, who also lives with husband Ian and sons Fraser, 20, Hamish, 18, and Robbie, 8, is adamant Manny would make a great ambassadog.
“She encompasses the spirit of Scotland,” she said.
“She’s lively and fun but at the same time she can focus when she needs to.”
Vicky added: “A few of the members of my mountaineering club suggested I should put Manny up for it and I thought, why not?”
If she does take the title later this month, Manny won’t be the only member of the Gorn family to represent the country this year.
Vicky’s son Fraser boxes for Scotland and is competing in the GB Elite Boxing Finals at the Alhambra in Dunfermline on May 27.
The ambassadog finalists and their owners will attend an interview in Edinburgh on Sunday for the next stage of the competition and the winner will be picked by VisitScotland, recruitment agency Denholm Associates and the judges.
A VisitScotland spokeswoman said: “The dog ultimately chosen to fulfil the role will have a nose for the best food and drink and a tail for adventure.
“The four-legged friend will follow in his or her owner’s footsteps to take in everything Scotland has to offer – all to be documented on social media.”
The role is unpaid but the dog will receive a special prize for its owner – an exclusive dog-friendly holiday in Scotland.
The other dogs in the running for the coveted title are:
George, a Golden Retriever (age 1) from Glasgow. A loveable, energetic pup with a big heart, he was put forward by student Emma Rae and her identical twin sister Victoria.
Cassie, a Patterdate Terrier/Collie cross (age 3) from Haddington. Rescued from a stray shelter in Romania, she has found a new lease of life with owners Andy and Carol Duff in East Lothian.
Cluanie, a Jack Russell (age 4) from North Kessock near Inverness. Owned by Micky Jones, he found fame by conquering Ben Nevis in a kilt.
Blaze, a Border Collie (age 4) from Portree, Isle of Skye. He and owner Steve Millar have raised more than £1,000 for the Glencoe Mountain Rescue through sales of his 2014 calendar.
Fenton, a Shetland Sheepdog (age 4) from Lerwick, Shetland. who loves to explore the wild seas and rolling hills with owner Kaylee Robertson.
Sydney, a Pug (age 4) from Edinburgh. She and owner Kristyn Lavery call themselves Scotland’s adventure couple and love walks up Arthur’s Seat.
Casper, a West Highland Terrier (age 3), from Edinburgh, who has travelled far and wide with owner Samantha Grant, including  a paw-trek across a section of the West Highland Way.
Bertie, a Fox Terrier (age 6) from Aberdeen, who has travelled across Scotland with owner Gail Riekie and chronicled his adventures on a blog.
