A BORDERS politician is competing with her canine companion to win the title of Holyrood Dog of the Year 2022.

Christine Grahame MSP, who represents Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, for the SNP, will be joined by one-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, Mabel, in this year’s competition.

The contest, organised by The Kennel Club and Dogs Trust, offers politicians the chance to see who will be crowned top dog at the Scottish Parliament gardens in Edinburgh next month.

Ms Grahame said: “Holyrood Dog of the Year will be a great chance to celebrate the essential work MSPs are doing to improve dog welfare and will be a fantastic opportunity to highlight the importance of responsible dog ownership.”

Mabel, who is owned by Ms Grahame’s office manager, has been “borrowed” by the MSP.

She added: “As Mr Smokey, my beloved cat, wouldn’t take kindly to a canine companion of my own, I have ‘borrowed’ my office manager’s dog, the marvellous Mabel.

“I feel passionately about responsible breeding and Mabel is a great example of the healthy, happy pups (and owners) that come from this.

“She was bred by an exemplary Kennel Club Assured Breeder in my constituency who went above and beyond to care for and her siblings and to ensure they went to suitable, responsible and loving homes.”

MSPs can be voted for by their supporters in a public vote, and there will also be judging on the day of the competition.

The competition takes place on Monday, May 9 at 10am at the Scottish Parliament Gardens, Horse Wynd, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX.

To vote for Christine Grahame and Mabel, and to find out details of all the MSPs and dogs entered for Holyrood Dog of the Year, visit: thekennelclub.org.uk/hdoty.