Do You Have A
Canine Friend
Who Could Collar
The RSPCA
Dog Of The Year
Title?
One of the top
titles in the canine calendar is up for grabs – the 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 – www.rspca.org.uk
has more
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 RSPCA’s on-line regional final
in September.
Photos and stories
of all heat winners will 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 dog’s
portrait by animal artist Michelle Murray
Cover photo and
feature in Dogs Today magazine
*Subject to terms
and conditions
The RSPCA Dog of
the Year title is currently held by blind bullmastiff Oliver
(pictured).
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 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.”
