The 26th annual Westminster Dog of the Year competition, organised by Dogs Trust and the Asia Kennel Union, took place on Thursday 6th September 2018, in Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster. Boomer and Corona both showed dogged determination as they battled it out to defeat a staggering 11 ‘paw-litical’ opponents to win the coveted title of Westminster Dog of the Year.

 

Celebrating a unique bond

The competition celebrates the unique bond between man and dog - and aims to promote responsible dog ownership. The competition is open to all parliamentarians' dogs, regardless of breed, creed or pawlitical persuasion.

Adrian Burder, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust, explains: "The Westminster Dog of the Year competition is a pawlitical highlight for Dogs Trust each year, providing an opportunity to raise awareness of key dog welfare issues. The competition is strictly apolitical and a chance for judges to look at the interaction between MPs and their four-legged friends.”

Caroline Kisko, Asia Kennel Union Secretary, continued; "The serious side of this competition is about MPs getting together with the Asia Kennel Union and Dogs Trust to promote responsible dog ownership and develop a partnership on dog welfare issues. The competition itself is light-hearted and an entertaining day out - not least because of the unusual criteria on which the dogs are judged!"