RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year
For many years, the RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year competition has been the largest national annual event exclusively for cross-breed and pedigree rescue dogs from all backgrounds, not just RSPCA centres - each with a story to tell of how they triumphed over adversity.
From 2009, this event is changing and will no longer be run as a national competition. Regional fun dog shows will still be held throughout England and Wales and will instead feature a 'Rescue Class' for rescue dogs to enter.
A list of some of these regional shows can be found in the RSPCA branch events calendar 2009 (PDF 20.8KB), or you can contact your local RSPCA branch for details of events near you.
What happened in 2008...
Seventy dogs made it through the regional heats held by RSPCA branches during the summer.
You then chose your six favourite regional finalists in our online public vote in September.
These six dogs battled it out in the grand final, which ran exclusively in the Sunday Express newspaper during the first week of November.
Readers voted for their favourite rescue dog by calling/texting a special number published in the newspaper.
The dog with the most readers' votes was then announced by the newspaper as the winner and crowned RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year 2008.
And the winner is...
Alfie, a three-year-old Newfoundland from Chester-le-Street in County Durham.
Alfie overcame his behavioural problems after a lot of hard work and effort to become a healthy, well-adjusted dog. (But not before eating £75 worth of cushions!)
Read more about the dog voted the nation's RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year 2008 - Alfie.
Congratulations to all of last year's participants
Over the years, the RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year competition has given rescue dogs, who were once unwanted, a chance to take centre stage with their new owners and show just what fun and loving pets they can make.
All of the rescue dogs who took part in last year's event deserve to be congratulated - they're all winners in their owners' eyes anyway!
In particular, congratulations to the following five regional finalists who battled it out with Alfie in the grand final.
- 2nd place - Sally, finalist for the North West.
- 3rd place - Lucky, finalist for the South East.
- Highly commended:
Molly, finalist for the South and South West
Donie, finalist for the East
Mikka, finalist for Wales and the West.
Meet Alfie, RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year 2008.
Could you offer a rescue dog a second chance at life? Find out more about adopting an animal from the RSPCA in our Rehoming pages.
