Rescue Dogs Lead the Winners of Kennel Club’s Dog Photographer of the Year Competition

This year’s overall winner of the Kennel Club’s Dog Photographer of the Year was Denise Czichocki, from Switzerland, with a picture of her 14-year-old deaf rescue pooch Merlin.

The winning image entitled, ‘Dreaming Merlin,’ features the Podengo sitting in a magnolia bush. Merlin was the winner of both the overall competition and of the ‘Oldies’ category which celebrates senior dogs.

This adorable snap called ‘Dark Dawn with Noah’ won third place in the ‘Puppies’ category of the photography competition. It was taken by Lotte van Alderen from the Netherlands.

Three for one! This adorable snap by Tiahang Zhang from China came in second place in the ‘Rescue Dogs Charity’ category. The competition rewards winners in 10 categories and a ‘special mention’ category.

Aww, puppy love! This heartwarming image of twins Macy and Vino by Monica van der Maden from the Netherlands took first place in the ‘Puppies’ category. The contest categories include: Portrait, Man’s Best Friend, Dogs At Play, Dogs At Work, Puppy, Oldies, I Love Dogs Because – for entrants aged between 12 and 17 years old – Young Pup Photographer – for entrants aged 11 and under – and Assistance Dogs and Rescue Dogs.

Look at those eyes! Lia the Border Collie came second in the ‘I Love Dogs Because…’ category. She was photographed by Luca Gombos from Hungary.

Taking a snooze! This photograph of twelve-year-old rescue Greyhound Ozzy by UK resident Susan Lang came third in the ‘Oldies,’ category.

Are you looking at me? This heartwarming picture by Michele Mccue from Canada placed third in ‘Man’s Best Friend.’ The dog is a Standard long hair Dachshund puppy named ‘KAT’ and it looks like he and his owner are in a very serious conversation.

Who said work had to be hard? Winner of the ‘Dogs at Work’ category was Dorine Scherpel from Canada with this cute picture of two Collies aged five and eight.