3 days ago
12 Funny, Cute, Prizewinning Dog Photos To Celebrate Dogs Day
As August is known as 'Dog Month' – or 'Dogust' as it's frequently nicknamed and marked since 2020 by dog lovers – and as International Dog Day falls on August 26, consider these 12 great dog photos to celebrate the loyalty, companionship and positive impact canines exercise on our lives.
Dogs are the most commonly owned pets on the planet and top among the Internet's favorite animals, although debate rages endlessly in social media over which are more popular: canines or felines.
Data, though, seems to confirm the immense popularity of dogs. According to the World Population Review, which ranks dog population by country based on dog ownership from 2018 to 2024, the global canine population lands somewhere between 700 million and one billion.
Forbes Advisor has assembled these related statistics for the U.S.:
The recognition of the role dogs play in human's lives via a month and specific day in their honor was created to raise awareness of their condition and to encourage adoption. For this month's 20th anniversary of Dog Day, suggestions on how to celebrate including taking your dog for a walk, adopting a dog or donating blankets, food or funds to a local rescue center.
In honor of the dogs of our planet, I offer this selection of funny, touching and adorable images by prizewinning pet photographer Belinda Richards who, through different photographic projects from her Frog Dog Studios in Melbourne, Australia, has redefined pet portraiture with a blend of humor, empathy and artistry.
Winner of many prestigious photo competitions, including Siena's Creative Photo Of The Year and Nikon NZIPP International Photographer of the Year, Richards has been named the Australian Pet Photographer of the Year in every year since 2022.
'Through my art," she says, "I aim to delight and emote, inviting viewers to see the humor and joy that permeates the world of these animals and share the enchantment of our furry friends.'
The dog photos in this article are a selection from several of Richards' projects, including Dogs Are The Best People (illustrating that like people, dogs have uniquely individual personalities), Be More Dog, Who Cut The Cheese? and The Grow Series.
Be More Dog Photos
The two photos above appear in the prizewinning, ongoing series Be More Dog, a humorous exploration and commentary on current events and social practices, using dogs as stand-ins for people
'Some images are comments on contemporary issues such as feminism, patriarchy and world politics, while others take a lighter look at social hierarchy and current trends,' explains dog-loving Richards.
Dogs Are The Best People
In the Dogs Are The Best People photo series, Richards and husband Tony Ladson show just how human-like dogs can be.
Individual dogs have unique facial expressions, just like people. Their reactions to noises or words are unique to each one. Despite their inability to interact with language, dogs can often seem as though they're communicating by mimicking human facial expressions.
The Grow Series, Dog Photos
Who Cut The Cheese?
'Our pets are inherently funny creatures, so one of the traits I concentrate on is capturing humorous moments,' Richards explains
'The series Who Cut The Cheese?' was inspired by my love for capturing the unique personalities of my canine clients and my desire to bring humor to the viewer. I hope you will experience a sense of amusement as each dog's look of disgust is revealed.'
Pets are constantly doing something that's photo-worthy, even when they're being naughty. Professional photographers can raise pet photography to an art form.
See all the series of dog photos and information on Belinda Richards' workshops on pet photography here.
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