As we slog our way through the dog days of summer, the Dog Photographer of the Year awards have arrived to lift our spirits. Photographers from all over the world sent in their best images of our furry friends and the results are spectacular.
The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom has been putting on this competition since 2005. This year, it received more than 10,000 submissions from 70 countries. Yup, that’s a lot of pictures of pooches. Here are the cream of the crop.
Advertisement

Second Place
"The Magic of Reading"
Messi, golden retriever, Brazil
"The Magic of Reading"
Messi, golden retriever, Brazil

Third Place
"A Veteran's Best Friend"
Delta, white Swiss shepherd, New Zealand
"A Veteran's Best Friend"
Delta, white Swiss shepherd, New Zealand
Advertisement

Third Place
"Snowy Shenanigans"
Daffy, Taz and Wile E. (left to right); Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers; U.S.
"Snowy Shenanigans"
Daffy, Taz and Wile E. (left to right); Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers; U.S.
Advertisement
Dogs At Work

First Place
"Wayne’s Team"
(Back row) Skye, age 13, lemon working cocker. (Front row) Jenny, age 9, liver working cocker. Pippin, age 1, yellow retriever. Milly, age 4, black retriever. Bramble, age 6, lemon/white working cocker. Ember, age 3, yellow retriever. Bonnie, age 4, yellow/white working cocker. U.K.
"Wayne’s Team"
(Back row) Skye, age 13, lemon working cocker. (Front row) Jenny, age 9, liver working cocker. Pippin, age 1, yellow retriever. Milly, age 4, black retriever. Bramble, age 6, lemon/white working cocker. Ember, age 3, yellow retriever. Bonnie, age 4, yellow/white working cocker. U.K.
Advertisement
I Love Dogs Because...

First Place
"One Heart, One Family"
Dash, Royal, Harley, Ženka, Ryan, Ready; border collies; Hungary
"One Heart, One Family"
Dash, Royal, Harley, Ženka, Ryan, Ready; border collies; Hungary

Third Place
"Hide and Seek"
Big City Borders Lad, border collie, Netherlands
"Hide and Seek"
Big City Borders Lad, border collie, Netherlands
Advertisement
Man's Best Friend

First Place
"Dolce Far Niente on a Lovely Afternoon"
Godji, Portuguese Podengo crossbreed, Portugal
"Dolce Far Niente on a Lovely Afternoon"
Godji, Portuguese Podengo crossbreed, Portugal

Second Place
"Divine Connection"
Kodi, age 10, yellow Lab/golden retriever mix, U.S.
"Divine Connection"
Kodi, age 10, yellow Lab/golden retriever mix, U.S.
Advertisement
Oldies

First Place and Overall Winner
"The Lady of the Mystery Forest"
Noa, Great Dane, Netherlands
"The Lady of the Mystery Forest"
Noa, Great Dane, Netherlands

Second Place
"On a Rainy Day"
Nilo, crossbreed and rescue dog, Austria
"On a Rainy Day"
Nilo, crossbreed and rescue dog, Austria
Advertisement
Dog Portrait

First Place
"Glenturret Autumn Gold"
Crew, Darcie, Pagan (Glenturret); flat-coated retrievers; U.K.
"Glenturret Autumn Gold"
Crew, Darcie, Pagan (Glenturret); flat-coated retrievers; U.K.

Second Place
"Waiting Beauty"
Thalia, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, Poland
"Waiting Beauty"
Thalia, Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, Poland
Advertisement

Third Place
"Let's Call It Roly Poly Puppy"
Snickers, crossbreed puppy photographed for Doodle Rock Rescue, U.S.
"Let's Call It Roly Poly Puppy"
Snickers, crossbreed puppy photographed for Doodle Rock Rescue, U.S.
Advertisement
Rescue Dogs and Dog Charities

First Place
"Found My Way Home"
Cooper, Labrador retriever mix and rescue dog, U.S.
"Found My Way Home"
Cooper, Labrador retriever mix and rescue dog, U.S.

Second Place
"Happy Girl Rescued"
Magda, crossbreed (Hungarian vizsla and Labrador retriever), U.S.
"Happy Girl Rescued"
Magda, crossbreed (Hungarian vizsla and Labrador retriever), U.S.

Third Place
"Over the Sea of Fog"
Dania, Crossbreed Portuguese Podengo, Austria
"Over the Sea of Fog"
Dania, Crossbreed Portuguese Podengo, Austria
Advertisement
Young Pup Photographer (11 years and under)

First Place
"My Best Friend Roxy"
Roxy, German shepherd, U.S.
Photographer Mariah Mobley is 11 years old.
"My Best Friend Roxy"
Roxy, German shepherd, U.S.
Photographer Mariah Mobley is 11 years old.

Second Place
"Dinner?"
Dallas, whippet, U.K.
Photographer Sienna Wemyss is 10 years old.
"Dinner?"
Dallas, whippet, U.K.
Photographer Sienna Wemyss is 10 years old.

Third Place
"Monty"
Monty, German shorthaired pointer, U.K.
Photographer Maisie Mitford is 11 years old.
"Monty"
Monty, German shorthaired pointer, U.K.
Photographer Maisie Mitford is 11 years old.
Advertisement