It's a dog's life: 10 winning images from the Kennel Club's 2017 dog photographer of the year

21 June 2017

The winners of The Kennel Club‘s 2017 dog photographer of the year competition have been announced.

Almost 10,000 images were submitted to the global contest, now in its 12th year, from 74 countries.

A wide-eyed puppy resting on his owner’s shoe, taken by Portugal's Maria Davison, was crowned the overall winner.

Rescue dog Yzma leans on her owner’s foot (Maria Davison)

‘This image was already close to my heart and it is one of the photographs I am most proud of. It was not only a beautiful, real and candid moment I got to capture, but also a demonstration of the strong bond between one of my closest friends and her dog, Yzma," she said.

‘Winning not only the Man’s Best Friend category, but also the overall winner prize with this picture feels really good.’

Rita the Pointer leaps over the moor in County Durham (Sarah Caldecott) — Leica the crossbreed sniffs at a camomile flower (Rodrigo Capuski)

The competition comprises ten categories: Portrait, Man’s Best Friend, Dogs At Play, Dogs At Work, Puppy, Oldies, I Love Dogs Because (open to entrants aged between 12 and 17), Young Pup Photographer (for entrants aged 11 and under), Assistance Dogs and Rescue Dogs.

You can see more images from the dog photographer of the year comp here.

Check out the shortlist below.

Fly the Border Collie runs along the beach after being rescued and taken to a new home in the Peak District (Martin Tosh) — Rescue dog Reno poses with his owner, a double amputee, during a trip to the park. (John Ferret)

Mosey the bloodhound stares adoringly at a cupcake (Dylan Jenkins) — Rescued greyhound and registered ‘Therapet’ Megan visits Mr Duncan Currie at South Beach Care home in Saltcoats. (Alasdair Macleod)

Petey the Wheaten Terrier splashes in the shallows (Kaylee Greer)

Rescue dog Reno poses with his owner, a double amputee, during a trip to the park. (John Ferret) — Pippin the terrier jumps in the snow in a pair of red booties (Julian Gottfried)

Pippin the terrier jumps in the snow in a pair of red booties (Julian Gottfried) — Rita the Pointer leaps over the moor in County Durham (Sarah Caldecott)

An Afghan Hound flicks her long hair (Anastasia Vetkovskaya)

Chloe the greyhound is pictured at Bath Cats and Dogs home (Alexandra Robins)

Rescued greyhound and registered ‘Therapet’ Megan visits Mr Duncan Currie at South Beach Care home in Saltcoats. (Alasdair Macleod) — Mosey the bloodhound stares adoringly at a cupcake (Dylan Jenkins)