Readers Dog of the Year 2021

1ST PLACE: Here is my three-year-old Labrador, Arnie, playing in the sea foam at Camber Sands, East Sussex.  It was quite a breezy evening but we had a lot of fun! Jennifer Pope

2ND PLACE: This is Indie (Indiana Bones) in the sand dunes at Perranporth, Cornwall. She loves the wind in her flappers! A salty sea dog at heart. Alex Townend

3RD PLACE: Seamus admiring the poppies at Lindisfarne Priory, Holy Island, whilst on a campervan trip on the Northumberland coast. Sarah Cullen

4. These are Lola (left) and Lilly (right) enjoying a spot of boating at Lawrenny, on the River Cleddau in Milford Haven last summer. George

5. Fred, the two-year-old cockapoo, in his favourite place on Cromer Beach. He is a champion swimmer!! Lucy Conley

6. Here is Dougie on Filey Beach at 8am this morning. Lovely day and wonderful coast. We all love it. Harry, Helena & Douglas

7. I love this photo of my dog Scamp being reflected! Scamp is about eight years old and came to us as a rescue, having spent the first two years of his life shut in a kitchen. He’s normally such a busy dog, so it was nice to capture a moment of quiet from him. This was taken in South East Kent. Jane Wade

8. Polly the Parson terrier made a new friend on Bembridge Beach on the Isle of Wight! Deborah Bray

9. This is Oscar and Rupert in St Helens on the Isle of Wight, awaiting their sea adventure. Sam & Paul Holdcroft

10. This is Maisie, a terrier cross, ready for action near Rye, East Sussex! Julie Keeler

11. Huxley our Wiredhaired Vizsla loves the sea where we live in Brighton and can often be seen on a paddleboard. Coastguard beach in Devon is another favourite as it’s all sand. Sonya Trott

12. This is our dog, Brecon, a Welsh Springer Spaniel, pictured on his recent holiday on the beautiful and rugged Morte Point in Mortehoe, North Devon. Lucy Gardner

 

Beau on holiday, at Watergate Bay, Cornwall… nearly 13 years old! Mark Riley

Here is Candy – four off the floor! – jumping a silt channel. Nic Woodward

Here is our five-year-old German Shepherd, Crowley, looking slightly damp but nevertheless enjoying a dip in the sea earlier this week. We were on the shore at Skerray Harbour, on the Sutherland coastline. Gary Brewer

Here is Dottie our lovely two year old Border Terrier. She’s on Watergate Bay beach which she absolutely loves. Andrew

These are our pawsome pair of pooches. Big one is Elsie, little one Albie (Albus Dumbledore) taken in Abersoch, Llŷn Peninsula. Bex Westwood

My bulldog Frankie enjoying his first time at the sea, and what a fantastic place for his first time at Kynance Cove in Cornwall. He absolutely loved it and everybody loved him. He even managed a paddle! Victoria Platten

This is Hector our five-and-a-half-month-old Bull Terrier on a day out to Formby Beach. He isn’t a fan of getting his toes wet but loves the sand! Ange Woods

These are Honey and Maple – they are our ruby and black-and-tan Cavalier King Charles spaniels. Their favourite thing in the world is to run free on West Wittering Beach. They are best buddies and love the sand and sea. Debbie Hull

This is Leonard, he just loves being on the sea – although he does get tired! Sharon Dyche-Brookes

This is my SUP pup Lola, a rescue from Romania with such love and enthusiasm to give. She is my work buddy, looking after the country parks and running a busy activity centre. We do enjoy an after work chill-lax either on the water or the sofa! Tanya Lee

This is Merlin snoozing on the beach in Tenby. Jo Simpson

Noodle (the miniature poodle, who’s the new lady in my life!) on the beach in Devon. Graham

Ollie our Westie, aged 5, absolutely loves visiting his grandparents who live on the south Devon coast. He loves feeling the sea breeze and getting sand on his nose from a day at the beach! Catherine Louise Brown

This is my Oscar. His bandana says St Pawes – he is on the beach at St Mawes! Paula Harvey

Meet Rafferty, our giant, gentle, five year old Labradoodle. He’s never happier than when he’s near the sea! This photo is from one of his many UK beach holidays, it’s Rosemarkie Beach in the Highlands. He also loves the beaches of North Devon. Elizabeth Hall

My golden boy Scoo doing his sea dog (pirate) impression – looking out to sea on Humberston Beach, Northeast Lincolnshire. Cannot fathom how he managed to get up there and balance! Sal Barker

This is my five-month-old Airedale puppy, Tigger, enjoying the beach at Old Hunstanton , Norfolk this summer. Rose Kacary

This is Winnie the crazed cockerpoo at Wrabness Foreshore in Essex. Jade Saunders

Winners’ info

Forthglade makes delicious natural pet food in the heart of Devon. Using high quality ingredients, the tasty range of meals and treats are free from any junk or fillers. First prize for coast Dog of the Year is £150 worth of Forthglade’s complete grain-free wet meals, second is £50 worth of Forthglade goodies,  and third is a box of Forthglade grain-free hand-baked natural dog treats. For more information on the range, visit forthglade.com.

If you’re in need of a staycation with your pup, and are looking for ideas on the dog-friendly spots you could stay, click here for top dog-friendly hotels by the coast.

You can see more coastal canines in our Seadogs section in coast magazine or get inspiration for your next coastal trip by reading our 50 best dog-friendly holidays by the sea.