Staffordshire's 'Cuddly Dudley' named UK’s cutest dog
A two-year-old Wolves-mad pug from Staffordshire has been named the UK’s cutest dog after fending off more than 2,500 others for the title.
Dudley, known as Cuddly Dudley, attracted more than 2,000 votes in the UK’s Cutest Canine competition after shooting to fame on social media.
The pug was entered by owner Deby Bannister – who owns the pet with husband Steve – into the Thortful.com competition to mark International Dog Day.
The animal follows Steve’s obsession for the team named after his fellow canines due to Steve being from Wolverhampton.
"We’re so grateful to everyone who voted and are very proud of Dudley," said Deby.
“I’ve entered him into a couple of other competitions online, but it’s all a bit of fun – I don’t think we’ll ever get to retire on his winnings."
The 55-year-old, who shops with the competition runners greetings card company Thortful.com, saw the competition advertised on their Facebook page.
“I sent in a photo, the one in his red waistcoat, and I also sent in photos of our three other dogs – Beau, the golden retriever, and Paddy and Somba, our Tibetan terriers,” she said.
“But out of almost 2,500 entries Dudley was the one who got chosen by a panel of judges to get through to the top 10.
“I had a message to tell me this and I took to Facebook and Instagram – Dudley has his own Instagram account – and asked for votes. There’s a strong pug community on social media and loads of people voted, making Dudley the winner.”
Dudley, who has a range of outfits, has already attracted more than 600 follows on his Instagram page, @cuddlydudleypug.
It’s a busy household too, as joining Deby and Dudley, Beau, Paddy and Somba the dogs are Deby’s Wolves-mad husband Steve, originally from Wolverhampton, and also Eddie the tortoise.
A spokesman for Thortful said: “The votes are in – in celebration of International Dog Day we asked you to vote for the UK’s cutest canine and we’re proud to crown the impeccably dressed Cuddly Dudley as our winner.”
The top three in the Thortful competition included Bernese mountain dog Mable and Dave the cavapoo.
Visit thortful.com/uks-cutest-canines for more.
