Vote for Fudge in the Nose of Tralee contest

Vote for Fudge in the Nose of Tralee contest

7 August 2024

A SAINTFIELD dog needs the help of Down Recorder readers in his bid to be crowned Ireland’s most adorable pet.

Fudge, a six year-old Italian gundog, is through to the final of the 2024 Nose of Tralee competition.

Fudge will represent Co Down in the event, which is a humorous tongue-in-cheek take on the world famous Rose of Tralee International Festival.

Pets of all types were invited to enter the competition. After a public vote and evaluation by a judging panel, Fudge was selected as one of the 32 finalists chosen to represent each county in Ireland.

The overall winner of the Nose of Tralee will be announced on August 20 following an online public vote.

To vote for Fudge go to https://www.petsittersireland.com/nose-2024/. 

People can vote every day until midnight on August 19. 

The competition, now in its 11th year is organised by Pet Sitters Ireland and sponsored by Tesco.

The winner will receive the coveted title, a €250 voucher From Pet Sitters Ireland, a €500 voucher from Tesco and a photo shoot with David McAuley Photography. The runner-up will receive a €100 Pet Sitters voucher and a €150 Tesco voucher.

Fudge, who is of the Bracco Italiano breed, is owned and loved by Scarlett Burnside and both are no strangers to winning competitions at the highest level.

Scarlett’s hobby of exhibiting dogs has taken her as far afield as Canada, Portugal, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Germany, Croatia, Spain, Holland and many other countries. 

Scarlett’s love of dogs has expanded into her own business, K9Scarlett.com where she not only trains dogs and owners, but she walks, grooms and house canine companions.

Fudge is already a champion in many countries. With Scarlett at the end of his lead, he won the Young Kennel Club Gundog Stakes at the world famous Crufts show and went on to become Reserve Best In Show. 

Last weekend at a show in Cork the dynamic duo, under the gaze a panel of overseas judges, were named Best in Show.

Scarlett said: “Above all, Fudge is a huge part of our family who never fails to make you smile. Known to his close  friends as Fudgelicious, he is every bit as sweet as his name.”

Kate McQuillan, owner of Pet Sitters Ireland, said: “The Nose of Tralee is the highlight of our year and I know many pet owners have been eagerly awaiting their chance to participate.

“We're excited to read all the wonderful reasons why each pet would make a great Nose of Tralee and to see which county will claim the title.”