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.