10 best dog photos of 2017 so far

The Kennel Club have announced the winners of all the Dog Photographer of the Year competition.

It comprises ten categories: 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), Assistance Dogs and Rescue Dogs.

Because everyone loves dog pictures, we've decided to share the winners pictures with you. They are adorable.

Overall winner, taken by Maria Davision from Portugal

Winner Maria Davision from Portugal submitted an image of an adorable puppy resting his head, which was placed first in the ‘Man’s Best Friend’ category.

On winning, Maria said:

This image was already close to my heart and it is one of the photographs I am most proud of. It was not only a beautiful, real and candid moment I got to capture, but also a demonstration of the strong bond between one of my closest friends and her dog, Yzma. Winning not only the Man’s Best Friend category, but also the overall winner prize with this picture feels really good.

Winner of the the ‘Dogs at Play’ category with a photo of Petey the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, playing on the south coast of Boston; Kaylee Greer from the United States.

Mirjam Schreurs from the Netherlands, won the ‘Puppy’ category with a lovely image of Tyson the baby Boxer

The ‘Dog Portrait’ category was won by this image of an Afghan Hound, taken by Anastasia Vetkovskaya from Russia

Sarah Caldecott from Yorkshire won the ‘Dogs at Work’ category, with a muted portrait of Rita the Pointer on the moors of County Durham

Young Pup Photographer’ winner was 8 year-old Dylan Jenkins from Swansea.

Julian Gottfried from the United States won the ‘I Love Dogs Because…’ category, for young photographer aged 12 to 17 years old.

John Liot from Jersey, won the ‘Oldies’ category with a portrait of 12 year-old rescue dog, Kelly.

The winner of the ‘Assistance Dogs’ category was Alasdair MacLeod from Ayrshire, Scotland, who took a candid shot of a retired Greyhound, Megan from Canine Concern Scotland visiting local care home resident Duncan, a 95 year-old RAF veteran.

Alexandra Robins from Wiltshire won the ‘Rescue Dog’ category for her intimate portrait of rescue dog Chloe with her carer at Bath Cats and Dogs Home.

Rosemary Smart, Kennel Club Chief Executive said:

The quality of the entries to the Dog Photographer of the Year competition never ceases to amaze. This year there has been a huge number of beautifully executed and impressive photographs, making it incredibly difficult for the judges to choose just one winner for the overall prize and a single winning photographer for each category. All of this year’s entrants beautifully captured the qualities that make dogs so very special and dear to our hearts, and we look forward to seeing more work from the winners in the future.

To see all the images and runners up head over to the Kennel Club website.

More: 13 of the best before and after pet adoption photos