Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year 2016 competition is now open

After huge international success with the most recent Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year competition, the annual canine photography contest returns this month.

The prestigious competition is open to both budding and experienced photographers, who are encouraged to submit their photos to be in with a chance of receiving international exposure for their work as well as winning a selection of prizes.

The competition, which opens today, is free to enter and will be accepting submissions until 15th March 2017.

This year’s competition received almost 13,000 entries from more than 90 countries, making it the biggest and most popular canine photography competition in the world.

The competition comprises ten categories, including two which are new this year: Young Pup Photographer (for the under 12s) and Rescue Dogs, another charity category to complement Assistance Dogs.

  • Dogs at Play
  • Portrait
  • Oldies
  • Dogs at Work
  • Puppies
  • Man's Best Friend
  • Young Pup Photographer (for entrants aged 11 and under)
  • ‘I Love Dogs Because …’ (for entrants aged between 12 and 17)
  • Assistance Dogs
  • Rescue Dogs

An overall winner will then be chosen from the winning ten images.

Anastasia Vetkovskaya from Moscow, Russia was selected as the overall winner of this year’s competition with her winning image of an English Springer Spaniel wading into water at dawn. Upon winning the biggest canine photography competition in the world, Anastasia said: “I have loved animals from an early age, which is why I went to Moscow Veterinary Academy and became a veterinary surgeon in 2007. Around this period of time, my husband gave me my first SLR camera and since then I have devoted all of my free time to photography.”

Many previous winners go on to achieve great things in the world of photography. Jade Hudson, the most recent young photographer to win the ‘I Love Dogs Because…’ category, has since been offered a three year photography apprenticeship and plans to build a career in pet and landscape photography. Jade’s mum Joanne credits winning the competition for giving her daughter the confidence to pursue photography professionally.

The overall winner will receive an original oil painting of their image by artist Sara Abbott and a VIP mentorship day with international dog photographer and competition alumni Andy Biggar.

All category winners will have their images on display at the Kennel Club in Mayfair, and will win a SmugMug business account to showcase their work online and a one day course at the prestigious Nikon School in London, as well as a trophy and exhibition print presented during an award ceremony.

The Assistance Dog and Rescue Dog category winners will also receive a £500 donation from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust to their chosen dog charity. 

Michael Higginson, winner of 2015’s Assistance Dog category, chose the Dogs for Good charity as the recipient of his prize, saying at the time: “It’s an honour to be able to show the world what a difference a dog can make to someone else’s life.”

To officially register and enter, please visit www.dogphotographeroftheyear.org.uk. The deadline to enter is 17.00 (GMT) on 15th March 2017.