Our ninth annual Good Dog Photo Contest, presented in partnership with Eukanuba, saw more than 3,300 entries and millions of votes. G&G editors had the tough task of choosing the winners, but in the end, four-year-old golden retriever Gryphon’s athletic (and soggy) leap off the dock earned the top spot. Ranger, a two-and-a-half-year-old Pudelpointer, captivated us with his focused gaze in the field, while the sandy smile of mixed breed Jetti made us smile back. Each winner will receive a prize package from Eukanuba, and their photo will appear in our December/January issue. Learn more about Gryphon, Ranger, and Jetti, and check out some of our other top dogs, below.
The Overall Winner

Gryphon, golden retriever
Gainesville, Florida
Four-year-old Gryphon likes to “have a good time,” says his owner, Anne Lowry. For him, this means training for field trials, participating in dock diving competitions, and going anywhere he can with Lowry. With a Master Hunter title from the American Kennel Club, Gryphon also enjoys being outside, especially by the water, and this year he won the national championship in the Master division of the Ultimate Air Dogs.
Aside from his achievements in the field, Lowry says Gryphon is “just a great reason to get up every morning and have a wonderful day.” When she received the call that he took top honors in G&G’s contest, he was of course in the back seat of the car, ready to celebrate.
Captured by friend Rob Robinson at last year’s Ultimate Air Dogs competition, Gryphon’s determined dive earned him second place at that contest—and a perfect ten from the G&G editors.
Runners-Up: Overall

Berty Mae, bloodhound
Guntersville, Alabama

Moose & Shadow, mixed breed
Fort Moore, Georgia

Bruno, mixed breed
Petal, Mississippi

Dot, mixed breed
Lancaster, South Carolina

Lou Lou, micro merle French bulldog
Dallas, Texas

Spaetzle, German shorthaired pointer
Alexandria, Virginia

Luna, mixed breed
Holly Springs, North Carolina

Poe, golden retriever
Fuquay Varina, North Carolina

Gentry, Labrador retriever
Barnwell, South Carolina
The Sporting Dog Winner

Lone Ranger, Pudelpointer
Madison, Mississippi
Two-and-a-half-year-old Lone Ranger aka “Ranger” is something of a miracle. A rare singleton, he was the only pup in his litter. At just a year old, Ranger underwent surgery on both elbows for bilateral elbow dysplasias. After several post-surgical complications, owners Payton and Amanda Lockey weren’t quite sure what Ranger’s future in the field would hold. But several months of physical therapy and medication hidden in whipped cream later, he was back to the duck blind last season.
On the lookout for a bird dog, Payton spent hours researching breeds. With strong water capabilities and a good temperament, the Pudelpointer—a mix of an English pointer and German hunting poodle—seemed the best fit for him. “As soon as we open the door, he flips his switch on and he’s ready to go hunt something up,” he says. “And he’s just a great companion and a great family dog inside the house.”
Runners-Up: Sporting Dog

Remi, Labrador retriever
Birdsnest, Virginia

Maple, Boykin spaniel
Dalton, Georgia

Doc, English Setter
Odessa, Texas

Buffalo Trace “Trace,” German shorthaired pointer
Tallahassee, Florida

Seppi, Spinone Italiano
Dallas, Texas

Birdie, Labrador retriever
Charlotte, North Carolina

Remmi, Labrador retriever
Chesnee, South Carolina

Bella, Boykin spaniel
Lee County, Georgia

Red, Labrador retriever
Blackshear, Georgia

Ada, German shorthaired pointer
Xenia, Ohio
The Puppy Winner

Jetti, mixed breed
Wilmington, North Carolina
Jetti, now three years old, loves a day at the shore. Named after Wrightsville Beach’s beloved jetty, the “Heinz 57” mix has lived by the ocean his whole life. This picture was captured on Jetti’s first-ever trip to the beach, where it became clear to owner Mark Townsend that the pup wasn’t as big a fan of the water as he was of the sand.
“When he hits the sand, he just wants to take off and dig and play,” Townsend says. But on every adventure, Jetti finds a friend in any dog or human who crosses his path, lying down on his tummy by way of a salutation. Jetti’s sociable nature is one of his best qualities, Townsend says.
Runners-Up: Puppies

Wrigley, English setter
Atlanta, Georgia

Rhett, corgi
Senoia, Georgia

Oscar and Mercy litter, Labrador retrievers
Bonneau, Georgia

Goose, basset hound
Mocksville, North Carolina

Kimber Casey, chocolate Labrador retriever
Columbus, Wisconsin

Nelli, Labrador retriever
Norwalk, Iowa

Wrangler, Labrador retriever
Hanover, Illinois

Maverick, chiweenie
Louisa, Virginia

Pepper, miniature Dachshund
Louisville, Kentucky

Foofy, Bernese mountain dog
Polawana Island, South Carolina
The Readers’ Choice Winners

Milagro, mixed breed
Tucson, Arizona

Alber, greyhound poodle mix
Richmond, Virginia

Fred, Labrador retriever
Pacifica, California

Beau Major, American Staffordshire Bully XL
Brandon, Mississippi

Deluna Sabine, German shepherd
Gulf Breeze, Florida

Jasper, Labrador retriever
Lakeland, Florida

Telluride, Siberian husky
Tampa, Florida

Jovie, Boston terrier, Australian cattle dog mix
Folly Beach, South Carolina

Nalu, Anatolian shepherd, husky mix
Lillian, Alabama

Dexter, Labrador retriever
Brunswick, Maryland
See More Photos from the 2024 Good Dog Photo Contest
Cute Dogs: Prepare to Say Awww
Funny Dogs: These Pups Make Us Laugh
Dogs at Play: Pups Living Their Best Life
Puppies: Small but Mighty Cute
Sporting Dogs: Handsome Hunting Companions
Dog Mug Shots: “You Looking at Me?”
Dog Friends: The More the Hairier
Dogs in the Great Outdoors: Pooches for All Seasons
Dogs on the Water: Swimmers and Sunbathers