Pooches aim to be Westminster's top dog

The Westminster Dog of the Year Competition 2010 takes place in Victoria Tower Gardens this morning.

Dogs of all shapes and sizes belonging to MPs, regardless of "pawlitical persuasion" compete for the winner's trophy.

Last year international development secretary Andrew Mitchell's dog Molly won the award, however this year there are no ministerial entrants.

Judges said the seven-year old Welsh Springer Spaniel had an "excellent condition and temperament" and that Mitchell had shown "commitment to responsible dog ownership".

Now in its 18th year, the competition organised by the Dogs Trust and the Kennel Club aims to highlight the relationship between man and dog was open to all Parliamentary canines'.

Judges include Clarissa Baldwin, chief executive of the Dogs Trust, and Caroline Kisko, secretary of the Kennel Club.

The Daily Mail's Quentin Letts will be presenting the winner's trophy.

Since 2005 dogs belonging to Westminster correspondents have also been encouraged to participate.

Entrants include:

1. Dr Therese Coffey with Rizzo, Collie crossbreed (Con, Suffolk Coastal)

2. Roger Gale with Lolita (Lollie), Newfoundland (Con, North Thanet)

3. Jake Berry with Lola, Poodle (Con, Rossendale and Darwen)

4. Karl McCartney with Sophie, German Shepherd (Con, Lincoln)

5. Harriett Baldwin with Poppy, Miniature Dachshund (Con, West Worcestershire)

6.Helen Grant with Charlie, Border Terrier (Con, Maidstone and The Weald)

7. Simon Kirby with Dotty, German Shorthaired Pointer and Elvis, Chihuahua (Con, Brighton Kemptown)

8. Caroline Nokes with Inca, Cocker Spaniel (Con, Romsey and Southampton North)

9. Andrew Rosindell with Buster, Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Con, Romford)

10. Grahame Morris with Digby, Chocolate Poodle (Lab, Easington)

11. Bridget Phillipson with Sam, German Shepherd (Lab, Houghton and Sunderland South)

12. Rebecca Harris with Dido, Lurcher (Con, Castle Point)

13. David Amess with tbc (Con, Southend West)

14. Martin Horwood with Rio, Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Lib Dem, Cheltenham)

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