DogCast Radio
Home Episodes Articles Blog Breed profiles Book reviews Photos Contact

Rocky wins Westminster

There was a worthy winner in Westminster today, as Rocky, a seven-year-old Labrador belonging to Batley and Spen Labour MP Tracy Brabin, was crowned 2017 Westminster Dog of the Year.

The 25th annual Westminster Dog of the Year competition, organised by Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club, took place today (Thursday 26th October), in Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster. Rocky showed dogged determination as he battled it out to defeat other ‘paw-litical’ opponents to win the coveted title.

The MPs entering the competition campaigned hard, canvassing for votes from the public before meeting the expert judges to discuss their dog’s heroic deeds and acts of devotion. This year, the event focused on the importance of training and behaviour and the life skills it arms both dog and owner with.

Winning MP, Tracy Brabin, said of her beloved dog:

“I am delighted to have won Westminster Dog of the Year with my terrific pooch Rocky. He had such a fantastic day, meeting all the other ‘paw-litical’ candidates and I’m really thrilled that he managed to wag his way to victory. I am very proud that he has been part of an event that promotes responsible dog ownership.”

The judging panel – Steve Jenkinson of the Kennel Club, Graeme Robertson from Dogs Trust, 2016 winning owner Jonathan Reynolds MP – spent the morning with dogs from different political persuasions and ambitions.

Commenting on the reasons Rocky was selected as the 2017 Westminster Dog of the Year, Graeme Robertson, Chairman of Dogs Trust says:

“We are thrilled with the number of MPs and commendable canines who competed for the title of Westminster Dog of the Year 2017. It’s always wonderful to see the bond between dogs and their owners and Rocky and Tracy really stood out for this very reason, not to mention their ‘paw-litical’ prowess. I would like to thank the MPs and their devoted dogs for taking part.”

Steve Jenkinson from the Kennel Club continued:

“It was such a joy to see Rocky and Tracy and their relationship really struck a chord with us and they are clearly popular with their constituents too. Having deliberated over so many wonderful pooches we decided that Rocky truly deserves the title of Westminster Dog of the Year.”

Animal Welfare Minister Lord Gardiner said:

“It was fantastic to see so many happy healthy dogs bounding around Westminster this morning. The UK is a nation of animal lovers and we are proud to have some of the highest welfare standards in the world, and events like these are important in promoting responsible pet ownership.

“I am pleased that around 95% of dogs are now microchipped since we made it compulsory eighteen months ago. We have also recently announced tougher controls on dog breeding to better protect thousands of puppies, and last month we put forward plans to increase the maximum penalty for animal cruelty to five years in prison to make clear that abuse will not be tolerated.”

To further echo this year’s theme of training and behaviour teams from Dogs Trust’s newly launched Dog School alongside the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme were on hand to offer advice and training tips. Collectively the projects aim to educate dog owners across the UK on the importance of training, to not only ensure a happier, healthier dog, but also to strengthen the bond between owner and dog.

Leading the opposition in second place was Bonnie, a Beagel owned by Rebecca Pow MP for Taunton Deane, with a place in the trophy cabinet awarded to Ted, a Cockapoo owned by Maria Miller MP for Basingstoke in third.

In addition to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards, the competition also had a winner decided solely from the public vote which were Boomer and Corona, both Border Collies owned by the MP for Nottingham North, Alex Norris.

Sharing

279 - mushrooms for dogs and using parenting principles with pets

In this podcast, Dr Rob Silver reveals how mushroom's can be good for our dogs - and us. Wendy Lyons Sunshine explains how implementing parenting methods with our dogs can improve our relationship with them.

189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

188 - Service Dogs UK and Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

187 - Muffins Halo and Chorley Fun Dog Show

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

186 - Maxwell Muir on wolves

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.