The Kennel Club dog photographer of the year 2017 - In pictures

The adorable winners of The Kennel Club‘s 2017 dog photographer of the year competition have been announced.

Almost 10,000 pooch pics were submitted to the contest, now in its 12th year, from 74 countries.

A wide-eyed puppy resting on his owner’s shoe, snapped by Maria Davison from Portugal, was crowned the overall winner.

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.’

The competition comprises ten categories: Portrait, Man’s Best Friend, Dogs At Play, Dogs At Work, Puppy, Oldies, I Love Dogs Because (open to entrants aged between 12 and 17), Young Pup Photographer (for entrants aged 11 and under), Assistance Dogs and Rescue Dogs.