From the best adventure buddy to the most adorable cuddle champion, rescue dog and working wonder, this summer we asked our readership to nominate their beloved pooches in our Dog of the Year 2025 awards, in association with Subaru.
Thousands of proud pet owners soon submitted photos of their beautiful pups across the four canine categories, before our expert judging panel shortlisted five dogs in each category and put it to a public vote.
Since then, thousands of you have voted for your Dog of the Year 2025. The dog with the most votes was the overall winner and the top-voted dogs in each of the remaining three categories were the runner-up category winners.
The overall winner receives a £500 voucher for Rural Retreats, in which they can choose from over 800 luxury, self-catering cottages in beautiful locations across the UK. Plus, the three runner-up category winners each receive an Outdoor & Country voucher worth £250.
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BBC Countryfile Magazine Dog of the Year 2025: winners
Overall Dog of the Year 2025 and best Working Wonder
Taking both the overall Dog of the Year title and Working Wonder award was the hospital-owned dog Alife, who supports not only his 1,400 patients but also over 9,000 staff. His work encompasses children, teenagers, the elderly, patients and their families at end of life – and everything in between. His owners describe him as “a remarkable lad who seems to intuitively know his work. He brings love, compassion and hope into every situation and enables smiles and comfort.”
The Working Wonder category celebrated incredible service dogs, from guide and therapy dogs to farm dogs.
Best Adventure Buddy
Adventure Buddy champion Poppy has been an adventure dog since a pup and has walked all over the UK, including mountains in England, Wales and Scotland. “Sadly, this year at the age of 13 she was diagnosed with an inoperable heart condition and the vets said she’s not got long left,” say his owners. “Yet she’s confounded them and us as she’s still out there with us adventuring and loving it.”
This category welcomed dogs who enjoy the great outdoors, whether that's hiking a mountain, paddleboarding or joining a camping road trip.
Best Cuddle Champion
This category was for dogs who enjoy home comforts, including garden games and sofa snuggles.
Taking the title was Mia. “I rehomed Mia when her previous owner tragically took his life," says his owner. "This past year, whilst I've been going through cancer treatment, she’s been phenomenal – always by my side, comforting me and making me smile. She reminds me who I am when I lose sight of myself. This photo is of her visiting me at the Macmillan centre at hospital, when I was an inpatient.”
Best Rescue Dog
Wilfred was a worthy winner of the Rescue Dogs category of any age who have found love in a second home.
"Wilfred is a rescue dog living his best life. He was found as an abandoned puppy before being picked up by an amazing charity,” his owners explain. “Wilf had never lived in a house before but soon became part of the family. He loves to travel: enjoying ice creams at the seaside and trekking up mountains before waiting for sausages at his favourite cafes!”
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BBC Countryfile Magazine Dog of the Year 2025 T&Cs
For more information and to read the full T&Cs, visit the BBC Countryfile Magazine Dog of the Year website.
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