A SAUCHIE man has been celebrating after his dog came out on top at an open field trial for the second time.

Ally Learmonth took his German Shorthaired Pointer Heidi down to Melton Mowbray in England back in January, to compete in the event.

According to The Kennel Club, field trials were developed to test the working ability of Gundogs in competitive conditions.

Trials resemble, as closely as possible, a day's shooting in the field and dogs are expected to work with all manner of game, from rabbits and hares, to partridges and pheasants.

And after taking part with his beloved Heidi, Ally recently found out she had beat 11 other dogs on the day to be named the winner.

Speaking after hearing the result, he told the Advertiser: "I put a lot of time and effort into the training – I'm out every day, so it's great to actually get the recognition for what you do."

But Heidi isn't the 59-year-old's only dog: Ally also has three others – and out of his dogs, he has two field trial winners and a field trial champion.

He said: "I have competed in field trials for a few years – I actually had German Shorthaired Pointer dogs since I was 11.

"I competed in the early 80s, and I went back to it for the last eight years – I came back in to training and competing."

Ally says the success of his dogs is all down to the bond he has with them.

He said: "On the day [of a competition] it's all luck.

"The dog can make a mistake, and you can make a mistake – it's a partnership."