Dorset’s dogs put their best paw forward to take part in a popular charity event.

Weldmar Hospicecare’s annual family dog show took place at the Joseph Weld Hospice, Dorchester, on Saturday.

Despite the drizzle, owners and their four-legged friends turned out to compete to raise funds for the charity which supports people with life-limiting illnesses across Dorset.

Take a quick look at some of the dog's talent in our video

Alaine Harman, who took over managing the event this year, said she wanted to make it a ‘bit different’.

At the event, she said: “I wanted to give people a great experience and there’s so much going on. We have loads of amazing stalls that have got lots of interest and we had more than 300 goodie bags by the Pet Experience to give away.

“It’s going really well – it’s fantastic to see happy, local people who love coming to show their dogs off but I couldn’t have done it without the massive help I’ve had from all our volunteers.”

Alaine added this year there were 11 categories, including prettiest bitch, cutest puppy and waggiest tail, and each class was judged by staff from Southfield Vets which was the event’s main sponsor.

During the afternoon there was an obedience display which Alaine said was so ‘people could see what their dog should be doing.’

There was also an agility display led by Ruth Waters from Watercombe Dog Agility Team.

Carol Knell came to the show with Shih Tzu, Humphrey.

She said: “I’ve come for the last couple of years. I used to do agility and I think it’s really good that people can come along and have a go.”

Natasha Buchan-Moore headed to the show with her two giant Leonbergers, Nookie and Digby.

“This is the first time we’ve come and it’s been great,” she said. “It was a really lovely day out for the family.”

Natasha added she had arranged for her dogs to be entered into a few classes throughout the day, but it was daughter Tabitha who stole the show when she took home best young handler.

Tabitha said to win her rosette she had to walk the dog Nookie around and make her sit, stand and follow her.

“She was so happy when she won – she was over the moon,” Natasha said.