Taking the lead

Dogs will listen to your woes, lift your spirits, and provide endless opportunities for pictures. It’s no surprise, then, that the 2019 Dog Photographer of the Year competition attracted more than 7,000 entries.

Founded in 2005 by the Kennel Club, this annual competition celebrates the remarkable work of professional and amateur dog photographers, while also promoting a positive perception of dogs. This year there were 10 categories with highlights including Oldies (featuring dogs of eight years and over), Man’s Best Friend (illustrating the bond between people and dogs), and Rescue Dogs (showing positive images of dogs living in shelters or at home with their new families). The overall winner of DPOTY 2019 was Denise Czichocki from Switzerland with her lovely shot of Merlin (see right), a 14-year-old rescued