6th June 2008

Is Your Dog Number One

Read more: Dogs Charity | Comments (0)

One of the top titles in the canine calendar is up for grabs with the launch of RSPCA Dog of the Year 2008 - the largest competition in England and Wales exclusively for rescue dogs.

It is open to all rescue dogs both crossbreeds and pedigrees of all ages, shapes and sizes and from all backgrounds - not just RSPCA centres. There are three stages to the competition:

1. Heats: More than 60 heats are held throughout England and Wales - visit www.rspca.org.uk for details. Winners are chosen for their general condition, overall appearance and character. Entries for all local heats are taken on the day and rosettes are given to all first, second and third-placed winners.

2. Regional Final: All first-placed heat winners enter the online regional final in September. Photos and stories of all heat winners feature on www.rspca.org.uk/doty. Visitors to the site can vote for their favourite dog in each region - North East, North West, East, South East, South and South West, and Wales and West. The six with the most votes are named regional RSPCA Dog of the Year winners and secure a place in the final.

3. Grand Final: Regional winners battle it out in the final in October. Readers can vote for the dog they most want to be crowned RSPCA Dog of the Year.

The overall winner will be announced by the Sunday Express in November and will receive:

A cut-glass engraved trophy

RSPCA pet insurance cover for a year*

Their portrait by animal artist Michelle Murray *Subject to terms and conditions

The RSPCA Dog of the Year title is currently held by blind bullmastiff Oliver. Oliver was dumped by an unscrupulous dog breeder when he was a puppy because he had an eye infection which eventually left him blind. He now lives happily with Julie Harkess and her family in County Durham.

Julie said, "I was so proud when Oliver was crowned RSPCA Dog of the Year. He really did capture the heart of the nation. Oliver had a terrible start in life but he's overcome all the obstacles that have been thrown at him to be such a fantastic and loveable pet. Giving a home to a dog in need has been such a rewarding experience for me and my family."

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