Here Are 30 Best Dog Photos Of The Year 2019 And They Are Pawsome

2019 was a golden year for dog photography: big, cinematic landscapes; tiny, expressive faces; muddy zoomies; dignified seniors; and rescue stories that hit you right in the feelings (and then gently boop your nose). The best part? The “best dog photos” weren’t just technically sharpthey were emotionally sharp. They captured the stuff dog people actually recognize: the look that says “I forgive you for being late, but I will remember,” the chaotic joy of play, and the calm, steady comfort dogs give without even trying.

This roundup curates 30 standouts from 2019 across major photo roundups, contest winners, and editorial picks with an emphasis on images that were publicly recognized that year. Since we can’t paste copyrighted photos into your blog post (and your lawyer deserves a vacation), we’ll do the next best thing: list the real, recognized images and explain why they workcomposition, light, storytelling, and that indescribable “aww” factor.

How We Picked These “Pawsome” Shots

To keep this list grounded in real, verifiable 2019 photography (not “my cousin’s neighbor’s dog went viral”), we leaned heavily on established 2019 award galleries and reputable editorial features. Most of the first 23 picks come from the 2019 Dog Photographer of the Year results (a widely covered international competition), and the final seven come from a large U.S. reader photo contest that published its 2019 winners. We also cross-checked recurring photography principles with trusted U.S. pet and photography resourcesbecause even the cutest dog can become a blurry cryptid if you shoot the whole thing at 1/20th of a second.

The 30 Best Dog Photos Of 2019 (And Why They’re So Good)

1. Dreaming Merlin Denise Czichocki (Overall Winner)

   A 14-year-old rescue Podengo nestled among magnolia bloomssoft light, gentle color, and a mood that feels like a lullaby. It’s proof that “quiet” can be a superpower in photography: fewer distractions, more emotion.

2. Young At Heart Cat Race (Oldies, 2nd Place)

   A senior Labrador named Baileebecause age doesn’t cancel sparkle. The strength here is expression: the face reads instantly, and the framing keeps your attention where it belongson the dog’s personality, not the background.

3. Contented Susan Lang (Oldies, 3rd Place)

   Ozzy, a rescued greyhound, looks like peace learned how to walk on four legs. The photograph’s magic is in restraint: a clean composition, calm posture, and enough breathing room to make “contentment” feel tangible.

4. The Little Twins Monica van der Maden (Puppies, 1st Place)

   Two Weimaraner puppies, perfectly pairedsymmetry, connection, and a softness that screams “please don’t make me do math right now.” It works because the frame is simple and the moment is universal: sibling-level closeness.

5. Father and Son Carlos Aliperti (Puppies, 2nd Place)

   Border collies in a parent-child moment that feels both tender and alert. Great pet photos often show relationship, not just “dog looks cute.” This one nails it: the bond is the subject, and the dogs’ body language tells the story.

6. Dark dawn with Noah Lotte van Alderen (Puppies, 3rd Place)

   A Labrador named Noah against moody dawn lightdramatic without being gloomy. The contrast creates atmosphere, while the pup’s presence keeps it warm. It’s a reminder: good light isn’t always bright light.

7. Soul comforter Angelika Elendt (Assistance Dogs, 1st Place)

   An assistance dog portrait that communicates purpose. The image succeeds because it respects the work: it’s not gimmicky, not staged for laughs. It’s steady, sincere, and emotionally directlike the dogs who do this job.

8. Dirty Dog Monica van der Maden (Dogs at Play, 1st Place)

   Waylon the Australian Shepherd mid-mischief, wearing mud like a championship medal. The photo’s power is timing: action frozen at the peak of chaos, but still readable. Joy, movement, and texture all land at once.

9. Let’s jump rope together! Zoltan Kecskes (Dogs at Play, 2nd Place)

   A dog named Rebel doing a skip-rope trick with a handlerpure “did that just happen?” energy. The angle and framing make the trick legible, which matters: if viewers don’t understand the action, the wow dissolves into confusion.

10. The Joy of Living Angela Blewaska (Dogs at Play, 3rd Place)

    Bobby, a Ridgeback crossbreed, practically radiates motion. What sells it is expression-plus-body: the face says “I am speed,” and the posture says “I am also nonsense.” That combo is basically the dog brand.

11. The loyal co-workers Dorine Scherpel (Dogs at Work, 1st Place)

    Two colliesSam and Laddiecaptured with a working-dog vibe that feels earned, not costumed. The storytelling is strong: you can imagine the farm, the routine, the responsibility. It’s documentary dog photography at its best.

12. Time for hunting Nadezhda Ivanova (Dogs at Work, 3rd Place)

    Two wire-haired Hungarian pointers (Vizslas) poised like living exclamation points. The image benefits from clarity: the dogs’ lines are clean, the posture reads instantly, and the scene respects what working dogs were bred to do.

13. Connected Cat Race (Man’s Best Friend, 1st Place)

    The title says it all: a bond you can feel through the frame. Great human-and-dog photos show mutual attention, not just proximity. Here, the connection is the compositionyour eye keeps bouncing between the two subjects.

14. White Cheesecake Alexandra Novitskaya (Man’s Best Friend, 2nd Place)

    A standard poodle named Cheesecake (10/10 name, no notes). The photo works as portraiture: clean lines, controlled tone, and a subject that looks like it knows it’s iconicbecause it is.

15. Meeting of the Minds Michele Mccue (Man’s Best Friend, 3rd Place)

    A dachshund puppy named “KAT” delivering serious “tiny philosopher” energy. The strength is in intimacyclose framing, thoughtful eye contact, and enough detail to make the viewer feel like they’ve been invited into a private moment.

16. Honey saluki Anastasia Vetkovskaya (Dog Portrait, 1st Place)

    A saluki named Jozelin, photographed like high fashion. The portrait elevates the breed’s elegant lines without becoming stiff. It’s a master class in letting the dog’s natural shape do the heavy lifting.

17. Mirror Ria Putzker (Dog Portrait, 2nd Place)

    Pumpkin the Catahoula Leopard Dog with a reflective concept that actually enhances the subject (not just a gimmick). Reflection, when done right, doubles emotion: you see the dog, and you see the mood echoed back.

18. Finntastic Anne Geier (Rescue Dogs, 1st Place)

    Finn, a rescue crossbreed, photographed with a warmth that feels personal. Rescue images shine when they honor dignity: not “before-and-after pity,” but “look at this full, worthy life.” This one lands on the right side of that line.

19. Curiosity Tiahang Zhang (Rescue Dogs, 2nd Place)

    A borzoilong lines, gentle weirdness, and a gaze that asks questions your rent can’t answer. The photo wins through simplicity: let the dog’s silhouette and expression be the story, and don’t clutter the frame.

20. A Look that Embraces Luciana Veras (Rescue Dogs, 3rd Place)

    A rescue dog named Mike with an expression that hooks you fast. The eyes do the work heresharp focus, emotional pull, and a framing choice that says: “This dog is the center of the universe for the next three seconds.”

21. Sea Dog Sabine Wolpert (Young Pup Photographer, 1st Place)

    Georgie the Havanese, photographed by an 11-year-old winnerproof that great dog photos are less about gear and more about attention. The image sells “adventure pup” with strong color, clear subject separation, and playful energy.

22. Doggy Bed Time Mariah Mobley (I Love Dogs Because…, 1st Place)

    Koby (“Puppy Einstein”) in a cozy scene that feels like home. This photo is a reminder: not every great image is action. Sometimes it’s softness, warmth, and the everyday comfort dogs bring to human life.

23. Peace and quiet Luca Gombos (I Love Dogs Because…, 2nd Place)

    A border collie named Lia capturing the calm side of canine life. The power is mood: gentle light, minimal distractions, and a pose that reads as restful rather than staged. It’s the visual equivalent of a deep exhale.

24. Komet Editors’ Pick (U.S. Photo Contest Overall Winner)

    A 10-year-old English springer spaniel from Atlanta, photographed mid-lick after a treatbasically the Mona Lisa of snacks. The shot works because it’s candid: expression first, perfection second, and zero fear of looking a little silly.

25. Hobbes Readers’ Choice Winner

    A French bulldog from Charlotte, North Carolinabuilt like a small tank, emotionally like a marshmallow. Reader-voted images tend to win on instant charm, and this one likely nails that “look at me” simplicity.

26. Hook Readers’ Choice Runner-Up

    A Boykin spaniel from Wilmington, North Carolina. Spaniels photograph beautifully because their expressions are so readable: soft eyes, expressive ears, and “I will follow you anywhere” energy. This pick celebrates that lovable openness.

27. Georgia Readers’ Choice Runner-Up

    A basset hound from Simpsonville, South Carolinaaka “ears with a dog attached.” Bassets are comedy and sweetness in one package, and strong dog photos often embrace breed-specific features rather than hiding them.

28. Rosie Readers’ Choice Runner-Up

    A beagle/Pomeranian mix from Charleston, South Carolina. Mixed-breed portraits hit differently because they feel personal: one-of-one faces, unpredictable markings, and the sense you’re seeing someone’s best friendnot a generic “type.”

29. Captain Butler Readers’ Choice Runner-Up

    A Shih Tzu from Montgomery, Alabama with a name that sounds like it should come with a tiny monocle. Great small-dog photos often lean into expression and grooming detailseyes, whiskers, and attitude for days.

30. Altoid Honorable Mention

    A white boxer from Alpharetta, Georgia. Boxers are fantastic subjects: athletic shapes and wonderfully expressive faces. Honorable mentions often win because the moment feels authenticlike you’ve met the dog, not just seen a picture.

What These 2019 Winners Teach Us About Great Dog Photography

1) Emotion beats perfection

“Dreaming Merlin” is technically beautiful, surebut what makes it unforgettable is how it feels. The same goes for playful mud, quiet cuddles, and working-dog purpose. If you must choose between perfect sharpness and the perfect moment, pick the moment. Your viewers are humans. Their hearts don’t zoom to 200% to check noise levels.

2) Get low, get close, get honest

Many standout pet images rely on eye-level perspective. Shooting from above can make a dog look small and disconnected. Eye-level shots feel like you’re meeting the dog as an equalwhich is fair, because dogs already run the household.

3) Safety and comfort aren’t optional

Dogs aren’t props. If your pup is stressed, tired, overheated, or overwhelmed, the session’s done. The best photos happen when dogs feel secure and are rewarded for participating. If the vibe is “fun walk with snacks,” you’ll get real expressions. If the vibe is “audition for a shampoo commercial,” you’ll get side-eye and chaos.

How to Take Pawsome Dog Photos (Even If You’re Using a Phone)

Use natural light like it’s free (because it is)

Soft shade and golden hour are your best friends for flattering fur and bright eyes. Avoid harsh midday sun when possible. If you’re indoors, move near a window and turn off overhead lights that create weird color casts.

Focus on the eyes, then shoot in bursts

If the eyes are sharp, people forgive almost everything else. Use burst mode for action, and take more frames than you think you need. Dogs blink, wiggle, and teleportsometimes all in the same second.

Pick one simple background

The easiest “pro” upgrade is reducing clutter. Move three feet to the side so the background isn’t full of laundry piles, trash cans, or that one chair that somehow looks judgmental in every photo.

Let your dog be a dog

Your pup doesn’t need to stare into the lens like a LinkedIn headshot. Capture sniffing, running, rolling, yawning, or that weird little hop they do when they’re excited. Authentic beats posedespecially for social feeds, family albums, and rescue profiles.

Bonus: Portrait mode can help (if your phone supports it)

Many phones can create a depth effect that keeps pets sharp while blurring the background. Use it sparingly and check the edges (some phones get confused by fluffy ears and think they are part of the backgroundrude).

Real-world “Pawsperiences”: What It Feels Like to Chase the Perfect Dog Photo ()

Ask anyone who’s tried to photograph a dog and you’ll hear the same story told a thousand different ways: you start with a plan, and your dog responds with improv. That’s not a bugit’s the whole charm. The most memorable dog photos usually come from embracing the unpredictable rhythm of a real session: tiny bursts of cooperation, sudden distractions, and unexpected moments that are better than whatever pose you had in your head.

One common experience dog owners describe is the “treat negotiation phase.” You hold up a snack like a tiny contract and your dog considers the terms. If the reward is good, you might get a sit. If it’s great, you might get eye contact. If it’s legendary, you may witness a perfectly timed head tilt that makes your camera roll look like it should be framed in a museum. But the funniest part is how quickly the negotiation changes. A dog who would do anything for treats at home might decide, outside, that a leaf is the most fascinating thing to ever exist. Congratulations: you’re photographing a creature powered by whimsy.

Another universal moment is the “too-much-posing backlash.” You try to adjust the paws, the angle, the chinthen your dog politely opts out by flopping onto the ground or walking away. That’s often when the best image happens. The flop is honest. The walk-away is honest. The little glance back“Are we done?”is painfully honest. And honesty photographs beautifully. It’s why candid winners like muddy play shots, sleepy couch portraits, and working-dog images resonate so strongly: they’re not trying to prove dogs are perfect. They’re proving dogs are real.

Dog photography also has a strange way of turning adults into absolute goofballs. People squeak toys, make dolphin noises, whisper “who’s a good dog?” like it’s a sacred spell, and crouch in wet grass without a second thought. The awkwardness is part of the process. It breaks tension. It makes the dog curious. And it shifts the session from “photo shoot” to “game,” which is exactly where expressive faces come from. When a dog thinks something fun is happening, their eyes brighten, their ears move, their posture relaxes, and suddenly you have the kind of image that feels alive.

Finally, there’s the emotional side: dogs change quickly. Puppies grow, seniors slow down, and routines evolve. A “regular day” photo becomes a time capsule faster than you expect. That’s why 2019’s best images hit so hardwhether it’s a senior dog nestled in flowers, a rescue dog’s proud portrait, or a kid capturing a pet’s personality. The camera doesn’t just record what a dog looks like. It records what loving that dog feels like.

Conclusion

The best dog photos of 2019 weren’t just cutethey were storytelling with fur. From dreamy senior portraits and muddy play chaos to working dogs doing what they do best, these images remind us why dog photography is so addictive: every picture can hold a whole relationship. And if your next photo session goes off the rails, congratsyou’re doing it right. Bring treats, get low, keep it fun, and let your dog’s personality do the talking.