Our third version of the Cutest Pets in Dallas competition was as tough as ever. We invited our readers to submit their beloved pets for consideration. A full 1,000 did so.
There were dogs in tutus, cats in hats, purebreds in purses, and mutts in mud puddles. There were pets with special skills, like service dogs and therapy animals, and pets with no skills at all, except for stealing table scraps and shredding socks. And this year, we received dozens of exotic entrants, like pigs, turtles, goats, snakes, birds, and horses.
Finally, after three weeks of voting, the results are in.
Our Top 20 includes 16 dogs and four cats. (Good work, cats! Last year, the top 20 consisted of all dogs and a single bunny.)
Some of the top pups are young, like Leon the six-month-old Samoyed. Others are seniors, like sweet T-Bone the 14-year-old Shih Tzu. A few are big, like Sophia the black lab, and some are teeny-tiny, like Mulligan the four-pound Pomeranian. The cats, too, vary in size, shape, and color, from Uno the one-eyed kitten to Boots the black-and-white Manx.
On Tuesday, June 30, we’ll announce the Reader’s Choice winner and the Judges’ Pick winner. Until then, we’re keeping the Top 20’s rankings under wraps. You can check out the competitors below, listed alphabetically.
Congratulations, Top 20! You’re all winners in my eyes.
Albus
Breed: Saluki
Age: 1.5 Years
Hangouts: White Rock Lake and Lucky Dog Barkery
Benny
Breed: Cockapoo
Age: 2 Years
Hobby: Benny likes to walk on Katy Trail and steal socks.
Benny
Breed: Mutt
Age: 3 Years
Likes: Toilet paper rolls, socks, car rides.
Dislikes: Toaster ovens, orange traffic cones.
Boots
Breed: Manx
Age: 5 Years
Special Skills: Boots is learning to jump through hoops and walk on a leash. On the weekends, he goes sailing with his owner.
Bourbon
Breed: Mini Australian Shepherd
Age: 5 Years
Special Skills: Bourbon knows how to sit, lay down, shake, high five, beg, dance, roll over, play dead, and take a bow.
Brooklyn
Breed: Pomeranian
Age: 7 Years
Favorite Food: Says Brooklyn’s owner, “Brooklyn is a carnivore. She likes meat. All kinds of meat. She does not discriminate.”
Cooper
Breed: Standard Poodle
Age: 4 Years
Favorite Sports Team: On game days, Cooper wears a custom Cowboys jersey with his name on the back.
Dexter Long
Breed: Toy Fox Terrier
Age: 10 Years
Relationship Status: Dexter has a long-distance girlfriend, Trinket, who lives in Canada.
Hunter
Breed: Mixed
Age: 14 Years
Hobby: Hunter loves watching planes and cars from the windows of his high-rise home.
Leon
Breed: Samoyed
Age: 6 Months
Favorite Way to Beat the Heat: Splashing in a kiddie pool or napping in an empty bathtub.
Louis
Breed: Pug
Age: 1 Year
Hobby: Louis likes to play at the dog park, nap, and chew his owners’ belongings.
Monti Martsolf
Breed: Chinese Crested
Age: 8 Years
Daily Routine: Monti always accompanies his owner to work.
Mulligan
Breed: Pomeranian
Age: 4 Years
Fun Fact: Mulligan weighs just 4 pounds.
Sailor
Breed: Silky Terrier / Pekingese
Age: 8 Years
Hobby: Sailor loves going for walks, getting the mail, and playing tug-of-war.
Sophia
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Age: 3 Years
Rescue Story: During Hurricane Harvey, Sophia’s owner spotted her swimming out of the floodwaters.
Sherlock
Breed: Domestic Shorthair
Age: 3 Years
Personality: Says Sherlock’s owner, “He’s loud, he’s proud, but he still emulates the grace and ostentation of the bourgeoisie. He’s a true Uptown feline.”
T-Bone
Breed: Shih Tzu mix
Age: 14+ Years
Favorite Things: Belly rubs and squeaky toys.
Uno
Breed: Domestic Shorthair / Grey Tabby
Age: 1 Year
Favorite Foods: Cardboard boxes and fish.
Waffles
Breed: Goldendoodle
Age: 5 Years
Hobby: Waffles enjoys playing ball, learning tricks, and hanging out with the family cat, Izzy.
Willie Nelson
Breed: Dachshund
Age: 6 Years
Special Skills: Willie has competed in dachshund races.
