Australian Photographic Dog Prize on show in Adelaide

9 September 2025
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The David Roche Gallery in Adelaide is presenting the inaugural Best in Show 2025: Australian Photographic Dog Prize, now open and running until October 25.

Eighty finalist images were chosen from more than 250 entries nationwide, with categories including dog portraits, dogs and companions, dogs in action and puppies.

The prize is the only national art award dedicated to domestic dogs and reflects the interests of the gallery’s founder, David Roche AM (1930–2013), who was a breeder, exhibitor and judge as well as an art collector.

First Prize and a $5,000 prize went to Alicia Adamopoulos, who runs a photographic business that specialises in pet photography.

Her entry, Legacy of Turnix, is a portrait of canine breeder and judge Des DeLaine, 96, with “the last three pointers of his beloved Turnix line" in his loungeroom in Hahndorf. 

Legacy of Turnix 2025 by photographer Alicia Adamopoulos of Adelaide. “Photographed in his loungeroom in Hahndorf, South Australia, on 16 May 2025, 96- year-oldDes Delaine sits quietly with the last three Pointers of his beloved Turnix line. Surrounded bytrophies and memories, the image reveals the deep, unspoken bond between a man and the dogswho have been his lifelong companions. A breeder and judge devoted to the Pointer sincechildhood, Des now faces the end of his breeding journey, capturing a moment of love, loyalty, andshared history.”
Legacy of Turnix 2025 by photographer Alicia Adamopoulos of Adelaide. “Photographed in his loungeroom in Hahndorf, South Australia, on 16 May 2025, 96- year-old Des Delaine sits quietly with the last three Pointers of his beloved Turnix line. Surrounded by trophies and memories, the image reveals the deep, unspoken bond between a man and the dogs who have been his lifelong companions. A breeder and judge devoted to the Pointer since childhood, Des now faces the end of his breeding journey, capturing a moment of love, loyalty, and shared history.”

The winner of the Young Photographer category and $500, was Isabella Rogers,17, of Pooraka, with her image also celebrating the important role dogs play in human lives with her entry, Mavis and Dacy.

Young Photographer (12-18 years) First Prize $500Mavis and Darcy 2025 by photographer Isabella Rogers of Adelaide.“This photograph features my nana, Mavis and her dog, Darcy. I spent the day with my nanaand wanted to capture the bond between her and her dog. Darcy is very special to my nana as shegot her after the passing of her partner.”
Young Photographer (12-18 years) First Prize $500 Mavis and Darcy 2025 by photographer Isabella Rogers of Adelaide. “This photograph features my nana, Mavis and her dog, Darcy. I spent the day with my nana and wanted to capture the bond between her and her dog. Darcy is very special to my nana as she got her after the passing of her partner.”

In addition to the overall winner and the Young Photographer winner, finalists will also compete for a $500 People’s Choice Award.

As well as the exhibition, public programs include a talk on dogs in Australian art (September 18), a “Bring Your Dog Day” (September 20) and a paint-and-sip workshop with pet sketch artist Ivana Prophet (October 9).

The exhibition is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Entry is $12 for adults, with concessions available. Details: rochegallery.com.au.

You can see more of the finalists below.

Jacinta Smith, Warm welcome.
Jacinta Smith, Warm welcome.
Peggy Man, running wild.
Peggy Man, running wild.
Renee Hughes, Conspiracy theory.
Renee Hughes, Conspiracy theory.
Dean Quinlivan, Proud mumma.
Dean Quinlivan, Proud mumma.
Julie Brown, Look at that tongue.
Julie Brown, Look at that tongue.
Penny Sharp, Bundles of joy.
Penny Sharp, Bundles of joy.
Emma Wood, Autumn colours.
Emma Wood, Autumn colours.
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