9th Professional Dog Photo Competition
The WDPA is celebrating 25 years and is thrilled to announce our 9th Professional Dog Photo Competition! Join us at the World Dog Show in Bologna, Italy, where we’ll celebrate the winners.
📸 Categories & Entries
Each member may submit maximum one photo per category:
- In the Move – Images capturing dogs in clear, dynamic action, showcasing movement, energy, or performance.
- Portrait – A pure dog portrait, that reflects the characteristics of the dog, where the dog is the main and central subject, with no people in a dominant or distracting role.
- Pets & People – Images that highlight the connection and interaction between dogs and humans.
- Documentary – Authentic, unposed images showing real moments from life with dogs, with only minimal editing and no manipulation allowed.
⚠️ New Rules for 2026
Please note that updated competition rules apply for 2026. Key changes include:
- ❗ Stronger authenticity rules – images must be independently created (no workshop/group-shot setups)
- ❗ Clear distinction between creative vs. documentary editing
- ❗ Strict ban on AI-generated content
- ❗ Documentary category requires real, recent (≤18 months) and minimally edited images
- ❗ No recent public posting (last 3 months) to ensure anonymous judging – suspended for 2026. Images may not be actively posted or promoted for the time of the competition.
👉 Full Rules & Guidelines: https://worlddogpress.org/WDPAPhotoAwardGuidelines
(All participants are responsible for reading the full version before submitting.)
🖼️ Editing Rules
- Editing in Lightroom, Photoshop, etc. is allowed
- The image must remain a photograph (not AI-generated)
- No heavy compositing or unrealistic manipulation
- Documentary category allows only basic corrections with no manipulation
📥 Submission Process
- Photos must be uploaded in time & via the official WDPA cloud link: https://worlddogpress.org/2026CompeditionImageUpload
- Correct naming format is required (Year_Category_WdpaId.jpg) [2026_Portrait_BE5702025878.jpg]
A selection of the best images will be displayed before the prizes are announced. A panel of expert judges will score the photos and the highest-scoring photos in each category will be in a special online gallery.
🏆 Awards
Winners will be officially celebrated at the World Dog Show – Bologna, Italy!
🤝 Our Sponsors
A special thank you to Charles Allen, Birdbrook Rosettes, for creating the beautiful winner rosettes.
We also gratefully acknowledge Dr Costanza de Liedekerke Ferraris di Celle (FCI Judge, President Royal Schipperke Club & Journalist) & Count Louis de Liedekerke (Belgium) for their generous financial support, contributing to the growth of the competition and the prize pool for 2026.
⏰ DEADLINE for entries – May 1st, 2026 – only members who paid membership for 2026 are allowed to participate in the competition.
Participating members should be aware that their photos may be used in publications after the competition.
Important: please do not send photos with your logo or anything else that may reveal your identity!!
Our 2026 Judges Panel:
Alan Walker (United Kingdom, Professional Dog Photographer and long time WDPA member, retired)
Alice van Kempen (Belgium, Professional & Awarded Photographer)
Dan Sayers (United Stated of America, Showsight Magazine Chief Editor)
Mail for questions mak.dodan@worlddogpress.org
Capture the beauty of dogs and the incredible bond they share with humans — we can’t wait to see your best work!