A JET-SETTING dog lover is celebrating almost 40 years travelling the world as a canine judge.

Jim Richardson is one the top judges in the UK and has worked in no fewer than 39 countries.

Both he and his wife Audrey have judged at the world famous Crufts competition and have clocked up thousands of air miles working all over the globe.

Jim, who lives in Wemyss Bay, said: "I have judged outwith the UK on 137 occasions in places like New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Russia.

"Over the years I reckon I have had around 600 flights."

When Jim started out as a judge in 1981, he never imagined the wonderful opportunities the role would bring.

He said: "I started off judging at the lowest level in Clydebank in 1981, but I loved it right away.

"I thought back to that moment when I judged in Moscow in 2010 while walking around the Kremlin and Red Square and realised how far I had come."

He says that in many countries he has received the red carpet treatment.

Jim said: "I have been treated like royalty with super hospitality, staying in the best hotels with a personal chauffeur-driven car at my disposal day and night. Amazing for someone judging at a dog show!

"In Moscow we were picked up on the Saturday and chauffeur driven for four hours around all the sites, it was incredible."

Jim is the president of the Golden Retriever Club of Scotland and is on the executive council of the Scottish Kennel Club. He is also a member of the Kennel Club in London, which is by invitation only.

He has also appeared on BBC's One Show last year to talk about the Golden Retriever, discussing its history as a native Scottish breed and why they are so popular worldwide.

But Jim is not resting on his laurels he now judges another nine gundogs at the highest level in the UK and worldwide and is best in Show judge at all breeds in the UK.

This year alone he has travelled to Sweden, Finland, Hong Kong, Austria, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Spain, Chez Republic and twice to Germany.

He said: "Until this year, I would have said Russia had been my favourite place but Sri Lanka was an eye opener. It's been quite a journey."

Next year Jim has invitations to judge in Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Italy, India, Croatia and Belgium.

Sadly the family's own Golden Retriever died last year and he now has Archie, a seven-month-old Tibetan spaniel, pictured.