Louie steals the crown to become the face of Paws in the Park

Handsome hound Louie has proved he has the photogenic credentials needed to front a charity dog show as he is revealed as the winner of our Paws in the Park poster pooch competition.

Louie, a five-year-old Dalmatian, proved he could strike the best pose as he fought off competition from 528 other dogs to become the face of  Paws in the Park 2018.

Following deliberations by a panel of judges last Thursday [8 March], Louie was declared the winner and with his owner, Amy Brett was invited to the hospice for a photo-shoot.

Amy decided to enter Louie into the competition after a friend told her about the hospice’s hunt to find the cutest canine.

Amy said: “This was the first time we had entered Louie into the competition. We have been to the event before, but my friend told me about it and said she thought he could be in with a chance.

“I was so excited when I got the call to say he had won. We all think he is very handsome, and other people have said it too, but it was so nice to hear he had been chosen.”

As the winner, Louie, will not only appear in marketing materials for Paws in the Park, but Amy will also receive a 10in by 8in professional portrait of Louie and a family ticket (two adults and three children) for the event.

“I am really looking forward to seeing him on all of the posters,” said Amy.

Paws in the Park, which is organised by the hospice and Swayne and Partners vets, will take place in Nowton Park, on Sunday, 20 May.

The show will feature various dog-themed activities, including a dog show and the chance to compete in a range of different dog classes and trade stands.

Charlie De-Moore, the Hospice’s Events Fundraiser, said: “Louie has such a winning personality. He is such a lovely dog and such a worthy winner.

“We had some fantastic entries this year and picking a final winner was such a hard job for all of the judges, but we think everyone will agree that Louie really is a brilliant poster pooch.

“Thanks to everyone who took the time to enter their pet and I hope to see many of you at Paws in the Park.”

The dog show, which is sponsored by Bury’s Chassis Cab, will take place in Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds, on Sunday, 20 May from 10am to 4pm.