Each year The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show awards 'Best in Show' to one adorable dog - but what about the humans? Well, dog enthusiasts can rejoice, now in its 14th year, the Kennel Club's Dog Photographer of the Year recognizes the most talented professional photographers who are able to capture the best canine photo on their camera.
The international dog photo competition received almost 7,000 entries from over 70 different countries around the globe, including Brazil, Canada, USA, China, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand. They were sorted into ten different categories and a special mention category: Portrait, Man’s Best Friend, Dogs At Play, Dogs At Work, Puppy, Oldies, I Love Dogs Because - for entrants aged between 12 and 17 years old - Young Pup Photographer - for entrants aged 11 and under - and Assistance Dogs and Rescue Dogs.
This year, Denise Czichocki, from Switzerland, won the overall competition with a picture of her 14-year-old Podengo rescue dog, Merlin. Said Czichocki: "I am really proud and overwhelmed. I still can’t believe it! There are so many good photographers out there, and I won this title, it is absolutely amazing. ‘I have always loved to take beautiful photos of everything, and my passion for dog photography started when I had my own, I wanted to create lovely memories of all of them. Over the years, I have developed my photography to become more emotional."
Other winners included 'The Little Twins,’ by Monica van der Maden from the Netherlands, who received first place in the 'Puppies' category with an adorable picture of her Weimaraner pups Macy and Vino.
The Winner of Dog Photographer of the Year 2019 receives a dedicated capsule exhibition of their dog photographs in the Kennel Club Art Gallery, London, also displayed in the Kennel Club Art Gallery as part of the 2019 Winners Exhibition. Additionally, they will receive a custom print from Loxley Colour, trophy, rosette, and certificate.
Scroll down to check out all of the cute dogs, and don't forget to upvote your favs!
#21 Puppy’s Category 3rd Place Winner. ‘Dark Dawn With Noah’ By Lotte Van Alderen, Netherlands

Dog: Noah, Labrador Retriever
Little Noah was so much fun to photograph. Once in a while she suddenly got the zoomies and began running around like a crazy pup. It was a dark and rainy December morning and there were still some raindrops on the plants around us. Noah was completely wet from running around through the plants by the time we were done taking photo’s. Between those crazy moments she had some seconds of inner peace and rest. That’s when I took this shot. She sat down, looked up at her owner with her little wet ears and you could tell on her naughty nose that she was having a great time exploring the world.
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152points
#22 Dogs At Work 2nd Place Winner, ‘Among Hills And Heather’ By Katie Behan, United Kingdom

Dog: Belle, English Springer Spaniel
Always alert, Belle takes advantage of exploring the fells of Buttermere in the Lake District while I take advantage of capturing her in the beautiful heather. This is one of the brief moments she paused. It was such a pleasure to watch her in her element, doing what comes naturally.
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150points
#23 Special Mention Dogs At Play Category, “A Snowy Chase” By Louise Farrell, UK

Dogs: Rescue Border Collies – Meg (tri colour) & Jake (black and white)
I’m a pet photographer from Reading, UK and photograph all types of four-legged hairy animals who mean the world to their humans. If the humans want to be photographed with their pets, then yes, I do that too! Specialising in action photography I love to make images of animals, especially dogs, doing what they love most – having fun with a smile on their faces. Once or twice every month, I volunteer at an animal rescue centre in Berkshire (DBARC) photographing the incoming rescue dogs to try to help the centre rehome them as quickly as possible. I’m always amazed that, in most cases, the dogs arrive joyful and happy having gone through who knows what. I feel it’s my privilege to be able to capture their happiness at being out in a field and free. It’s also a way for me to say thank you for my rescue dogs.
The two border collies in this picture are my family. Both arrived as puppies; Meg (aged 9, the tri colour) came to me from DBARC and Jake (aged 2, the spotty one) chose me from a rescue centre appropriately called The Border Collie Spot, also in Berkshire. They play together beautifully. This image captures their excitement playing earlier this year and kicking up the snow. I just love to see them enjoying life to the full.
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144points
#24 Puppies Category 1st Place Winner, ‘The Little Twins’ By Monica Van Der Maden, Netherlands

Dogs: Macy & Vino, Weimaraner
The breeder and I were in a shopping mall together where we had so much fun during this photoshoot. It can be very difficult to photograph two puppies together let alone a whole litter of puppies especially in a shopping mall (!). Everyone wanted to pet the puppies because they were so sweet and adorable.
But when Jose (the breeder) placed the two pups together they started to wash each other…
But when Jose (the breeder) placed the two pups together they started to wash each other…
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140points
#25 Assistance Dogs Charity Category 3rd Place Winner, ‘You’re Safe With Me…’ By Melissa Bastin, UK

Dog: Quintus, Labradoodle, dog
I first met Rosie and Canine Partner Quintus at BBC Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace last summer. I was drawn to a number of dogs cooling off in the river and particularly to Quintus who was clearly enjoying some off duty time! Rosie and I stayed connected after this and we met up a couple of times for me to see how Quintus helped her in her everyday life, such as loading the washing machine, getting things from the fridge and opening doors. For this shoot we went to St Giles’s in Oxford where Quintus demonstrated how he helps Rosie to negotiate obstacles in a public place. I wanted to capture the amazing bond he and Rosie have and how committed he is to her service - this can be seen in his unflinching gaze. Quintus is representative of so many dogs who serve in an assistance role; committed, selfless and a wonderful companion.
I am a photographer based in Oxfordshire and I specialise in capturing the unique bond that animals have with humans. Whether this be in sport (hence the polo!), in a working environment or in a companionship role, my desire is to create a lasting memory of that relationship that can be treasured for years to come.
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137points
#26 Young Pup Photographer (Aged 11 Years And Under) 1st Place Winner, 'Sea Dog' By Sabine Wolpert, USA

Dog: Georgie, Havanese, 4 years old
My name is Sabine and I grew up in Northern California in a rural community. I wanted a dog for as long as I can remember and on my 7th birthday I got the puppy I’d been waiting for, Georgie. I started getting into photography when I was nine. I love capturing moments especially moments with Georgie. This photo is a perfect example. I took this picture on a beach near my home. Georgie had been running around. She brought a clump of seaweed to me and I put it on her head. I expected her to shake it off but she seemed to like it so I took her picture.
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131points
#27 Man’s Best Friend 1st Place Winner ‘Connected’ By Cat Race, UK

Dog: Inka, Munstalander (bitch)
We had just wrapped up a warm June evening session with Annie-May and her Munsterlander Inka. As the two of them sat in front of the reservoir enjoying the summer air I could see a real moment unfolding between them. So I unhooked my camera from my Spider-Holster and released the shutter, forever preserving that heart-warming connection.
Aside from chilling with Annie-May, Inka loved nothing more than tearing round after her tennis ball. Annie-May picked up the ball and beckoned her furry friend to her side. Inka patiently sat before her as she reached out, lapping up the attention. Each time the ball flew into the air, Inka would up leap after it, loyally bringing it back in return for a pat and exclamation of ‘Good girl!’
As they sat on the bank with sparkling bright light reflecting off the water behind them, I knew there was something so universal about the unspoken bond between a little girl and her dog. It was for this reason that in that moment I decided to make the portrait of them a silhouette - a faceless image that represents a bond felt not only by Annie-May and Inka but also by a whole ton of dog lovers across the globe. That warm fuzzy feeling that rises up when we reach out and pat our furry friends is undeniably one of the best feelings in the world.
Aside from chilling with Annie-May, Inka loved nothing more than tearing round after her tennis ball. Annie-May picked up the ball and beckoned her furry friend to her side. Inka patiently sat before her as she reached out, lapping up the attention. Each time the ball flew into the air, Inka would up leap after it, loyally bringing it back in return for a pat and exclamation of ‘Good girl!’
As they sat on the bank with sparkling bright light reflecting off the water behind them, I knew there was something so universal about the unspoken bond between a little girl and her dog. It was for this reason that in that moment I decided to make the portrait of them a silhouette - a faceless image that represents a bond felt not only by Annie-May and Inka but also by a whole ton of dog lovers across the globe. That warm fuzzy feeling that rises up when we reach out and pat our furry friends is undeniably one of the best feelings in the world.
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128points
#28 Man’s Best Friend 2nd Place Winner, ‘White Cheesecake’ By Alexandra Novitskaya, Russia

Dog: Standard Poodle Cheesecake
Hello, my name is Alexandra. Believe it or not, this is my first photo with a man since before I only took pictures of dogs. This photo was taken after an advertising photoshoot. Cheesecake was quite nervous in unusual surroundings of flash lamps and photo equipment. But it only took a jump into arms of his beloved owner to feel peaceful and safe.
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128points
#29 I Love Dogs Because… 3rd Place Winner, ‘Best Buddy’ By Flora Wilson, UK

Dog: Buddy, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
I’m a teenager from the Wiltshire, and run a dog photography business as a hobby (when I can get a break from school!). I love nature and being outside and I try to show this, alongside my love of dogs, in my photos. I first fell for photography when I was about 11, taking photos of pretty much everything around me. I begged and begged, until I was finally allowed to have my own DSLR when I turned thirteen. This, combined with the joy of a new puppy as my muse, taught me the basics to getting decent photos of dogs in particular. I definitely have my naughty retriever to thank! I opened my business in March last year, and although I’ve had to take a break this year due to my GCSEs, I think I’ve been able to grow and improve immensely with experience.
Dogs are just wonderful. I’ve forged a very close bond with my puppy over the last three years, and he’s taught me the power of patience and how ‘obedience’ is really just a close communication between owner and dog. I am so glad I have been able to explore the love people have for their dogs through the medium of photography.
Dogs are just wonderful. I’ve forged a very close bond with my puppy over the last three years, and he’s taught me the power of patience and how ‘obedience’ is really just a close communication between owner and dog. I am so glad I have been able to explore the love people have for their dogs through the medium of photography.
This photo is of a friend’s lovely ‘Toller’, Buddy. I met his owner through a local group for our breed, and Buddy was the first client I ever took on. The shoot was perfect: the location was stunning; Buddy himself was lovely; and it was amazing to see the bond between him and his owner.
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126points
#30 Dogs At Work 3rd Place Winner, ‘Time For Hunting’ By Nadezhda Ivanova, Russia

Dogs: Dio and Afina - the Wire-Haired Hungarian Pointer (Vizsla)
My name is Nadezhda, I am an animal photographer from St. Petersburg, Russia.
Dio and Afina are my friend's dogs. Once we went for a walk together and I, of course, took the camera with me. The weather was great and the dogs were playing, running on the water, suddenly they froze smelling the bird - first Dio, and then after him Afina. Fortunately, I managed to get a camera and make this frame.
Dio and Afina are my friend's dogs. Once we went for a walk together and I, of course, took the camera with me. The weather was great and the dogs were playing, running on the water, suddenly they froze smelling the bird - first Dio, and then after him Afina. Fortunately, I managed to get a camera and make this frame.
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115points

