The winners of the Kennel Club's annual Dog Photographer of the Year competition have been revealed. An image of an adorable puppy resting his head was selected as the overall winner of the competition and winner of the 'Man's Best Friend' category.

Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year
Overall winner of the competition and winner of the ‘Man’s Best Friend’ category: Maria Davison from Portugal Maria Davison

It was taken by Maria Davison from Portugal, who began taking photos of her dogs and other pets three years ago. After finding out she had won the world's largest canine photography competition, Maria said: "This image was already close to my heart and it is one of the photographs I am most proud of. It was not only a beautiful, real and candid moment I got to capture, but also a demonstration of the strong bond between one of my closest friends and her dog, Yzma. Winning not only the Man's Best Friend category, but also the overall winner prize with this picture feels really good."

The Kennel Club's Dog Photographer of the Year competition has ten categories: Portrait, Man's Best Friend, Dogs At Play, Dogs At Work, Puppy, Oldies, I Love Dogs Because... (for entrants aged between 12 and 17 years old), Young Pup Photographer (for entrants aged 11 and under), Assistance Dogs and Rescue Dogs. In this gallery, IBTimes UK shares the winners of each category.

Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year
Kaylee Greer from the United States won the ‘Dogs at Play’ category with a photo of Petey the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, playing on the south coast of Boston. Kaylee Greer
Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year
The winner of the ‘Assistance Dogs’ category was Alasdair MacLeod from Ayrshire, Scotland, for this picture of retired greyhound Megan from Canine Concern Scotland visiting local care home resident Duncan, a 95 year-old RAF veteran who flew in the ‘Dambusters’ squadron. Alasdair MacLeod
Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year
Julian Gottfried from the United States won the ‘I Love Dogs Because…’ category Julian Gottfried
Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year
Alexandra Robins from Wiltshire won the ‘Rescue Dog’ category for her portrait of rescue dog Chloe with her carer at Bath Cats and Dogs Home. Alexandra Robins
Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year
Anastasia Vetkovskaya from Russia won the ‘Dog Portrait’ category with a stunning monochrome image of an Afghan hound. Anastasia Vetkovskaya
Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year
Sarah Caldecott from Yorkshire won the ‘Dogs at Work’ category with a portrait of Rita the pointer bounding over the moors of County Durham. Sarah Caldecott
Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year
Mirjam Schreurs from the Netherlands won the ‘Puppy’ category with a lovely image of a baby Boxer named Tyson. Mirjam Schreurs
Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year
John Liot from Jersey won the ‘Oldies’ category with a relaxed portrait of 12 year-old rescue dog, Kelly John Liot
Kennel Club Dog Photographer of the Year
Eight-year-old Dylan Jenkins from Swansea won the 'Young Pup Photographer’ category. Dylan Jenkins

All of the winning images plus the photos that placed second and third for each category will be on display at the Kennel Club in London from 26 June until 31 August 2017. The exhibition is open to the public and free to visit by appointment. Anyone wishing to visit should contact the Art Gallery office artgallery@thekennelclub.org.uk. To view all the winning images visit: www.dogphotographeroftheyear.org.uk.

More from IBTimes UK
Animal and Wildlife Pictures