Pawfect pics: Kennel Club's Dog Photographer of the Year prize awarded for snap of Great Dane

French Bulldogs might be overtaking Labradors as the UK's favourite dog breed, but it was a Great Dane that helped Monica van der Madan secure victory in the annual Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year awards.

In competition with 10,000 entries from 70 countries around the world, it was a picture of Noa the Great Dane, photographed in a forest, which most impressed the judges.

"I always try to capture the image of a dog in a way that you can see the emotion in their eyes," says Netherlands-based photographer van der Madan.

"When I took this picture in the forest early one morning, Noa looked at her owner and you could feel the love between them."

Whilst van der Madan's pic was the overriding champion - featuring in the Oldies category, the first time a winner has been picked from that division - there were nine other groups in the competition.

They included Man's Best Friend, Dogs At Play, Dogs at Work, Rescue Dogs, Assistance Dogs and Portrait, with other breeds featuring among the winning entries including Labradors, Spaniels and Sheepdogs.

There were also two young persons' categories: I Love Dogs Because... (for ages 12 to 17 years old) and the Young Pup Photographer for entrants of 11 years or younger.

"I am very grateful to be the overall winner of the Dog Photographer of the Year competition," said van der Madan of her win. "Photography is what I love doing the most."

She will receive an original oil painting of her photograph by award-winning artist Sara Abbott, whilst all category winners' work will be on display at the Kennel Club in Mayfair until 5 October 2018.