Thursday 10 September 2026 | Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster
MPs and their four-legged companions will come together in friendly competition at Victoria Tower Gardens for an annual celebration of dogs, giving parliamentarians a chance to champion issues affecting dogs and their owners as well as showcase their work in improving the lives of dogs across the country.
Previous events have helped highlight topics ranging from the effects of fireworks on dogs and the value of training and socialisation to protecting dog walkers’ access to public spaces across the UK.
A much-anticipated fixture in the calendar since 1992, the competition combines serious messages around dog welfare with some friendly ‘pawlitical’ rivalry, as MPs and their dogs compete to be crowned Westminster Dog of the Year.
This pack provides key information for the day, including the event briefing, running order, entrant profiles, canine CVs and relevant media resources.
Meet the 2026 WDOTY contenders
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Anna McMorrin MP and Cadi
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Becky Gittins MP and Mabel
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Ben Obese-Jecty MP and Leto
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Bobby Dean MP and Chester
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Brian Leishman MP and Hugo
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Douglas Lumsden MP and Norman
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Hannah Spencer MP and Judy
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Jack Rankin MP and Goose
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Jessica Toale MP and Bertie
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Julie Minns MP and Milo
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Karl Turner MP and Charle
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Kevin Hollinrake MP and Zuzu
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Louise Sandher-Jones MP and Nugget
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Melanie Onn MP and Misty & Murphy
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Sarah Dyke MP and DT dog
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Tracy Gilbert MP and Bea
Full profiles of our entrants and their companions are available here: Westminster dog of the year | Royal Kennel Club
Meet the Judges
Jannine Edgar
Chief Executive, Royal Kennel Club
Jannine Edgar is Chief Executive of the Royal Kennel Club, bringing more than 25 years’ experience in leadership and organisational transformation. She is a passionate advocate for the health, happiness and inclusion of all dogs and a committed dog owner, sharing her life with Tulip, a rescued crossbreed, and Mitch, her Jack Russell Terrier.
Since joining the Royal Kennel Club, Jannine has attended canine events and met dogs and their owners across the UK and beyond. She is delighted to join the judging panel for Westminster Dog of the Year, celebrating the special bond between dogs and their people.
Jayne Whitton
Chief Marketing Communications Officer
Jayne has been part of the Dogs Trust team since January 2022 and enjoys working every day to improve the lives of dogs when and where they need help the most. She shares her home with her very own velcro dog, who she loves and adores – a nine-year-old Hungarian Vizsla called Biscuit.
Having been a judge at Westminster Dog of the Year last year, she was thrilled to be invited back again. Jayne feels this year’s theme of ‘A Good Life Together and A Lifetime Commitment’ really captures what makes the bond we share with dogs so extraordinary, and how they become such an important part of our lives through adventures, quiet moments and everything in between. She is really looking forward to celebrating those wonderful partnerships between MPs and their dogs and finding out what makes each one so special.
Sarah Edwards MP
Labour, Tamworth
Sarah has been a visible supporter of dog welfare in Parliament, engaging with issues including responsible ownership, welfare led breeding and puppy smuggling. She is against aversive training tools and has supported the RKC campaign to ban shock collars. She works with a number of canine welfare organisations and helps to promote high standards across the dog community. A proud winner of WDOTY 2025, Sarah won the competition with her Keeshond, Poykee, earning her a place on the judging panel for WDOTY 2026.