The King meets our Dumfries House Dog of the Decade

Gabby, the golden retriever who was crowned Dumfries House Dog of the Decade this summer, was granted a surprise royal audience on the estate near Cumnock yesterday when she met His Majesty The King.

Gabby, with owner Pam Burns, emerged victorious at the milestone tenth annual Fun Dog Show, held by The King’s Foundation at the charity’s headquarters in August 2025. The event provides an opportunity for the local community to come together for a fun event in aid of a nominated charity, which was Bravehound year.

His Majesty The King surprised five-year-old Gabby and her owner Pam, who believed they had been invited back to the estate to add a pawprint and photograph to The King’s Foundation’s time capsule, which is being filled and buried to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the charity.

Gabby triumphed in the Best Sausage Catcher category in 2024, which made her eligible to compete for Dog of the Decade. Judges were impressed with her nature, and the fact Gabby is both a therapy dog and a regular blood donor for other dogs.

The annual Fun Dog Show brings together the canine community from East Ayrshire and the wider south-west of Scotland, recognising unique talents across a range of categories, including Cutest Puppy, Dog Who Looks Most Like Owner, Waggiest Tail, Best Rescue Dog, and more. All previous category winners were invited to enter the Dog of the Decade categroy, with Gabby claiming the top prize.

Congratulations, Gabby!