Puppy represents Waterford store at Puppy of the Year competition

Petmania hosted the final of the Puppy of the Year competition last weekend with Waterford puppy Buddy Kelly, a Goldendoodle, representing the Waterford based store in the final. 

Donut, a mastiff puppy from Laois won the overall title on the day, fighting off stiff competition from over 1,600 puppies in total from across the country.

Speaking about reaching the overall final and representing the Waterford store at the final in Kilkenny, Buddy’s owner Ali Ryan said:

"We were absolutely delighted to receive the news that Buddy was selected to represent Waterford in the final of Petmania’s Puppy of the Year.

"It sounds so cliché but Buddy is such a bundle of joy, he is the epitome of happiness and makes everyone he comes into contact with smile. We love seeing his personality develop, he’s our “not so little anymore” baby and we’re incredibly proud to be his humans." 

The Irish owned business held the finale of the Puppy of the Year competition on Saturday 28th in their Kilkenny store. 

Speaking about this year's Puppy of the Year contest, Petmania’s spokesperson Emily Miller, says:   

"This year’s competition has been so much fun. We had over 1600 entrants and 10’s of thousands of votes cast in-store and online so it’s a thrill to see Ireland’s puppy owners get so involved.

"Choosing a winner today from the final 16 was very tough. The commitment that all the puppy parents have made to their pup’s training is evident – and we are delighted to have each and every one of them as the puppy of the year representing their local store.

"We are really excited to have Donut as the overall winner and look forward to working with him and his owner as a brand ambassador over the coming year, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The annual Puppy of the Year competition was open to puppies aged 12 months and under, and entries for the competition were open during the month of September with every single puppy entered receiving a free puppy pack, sponsored by BETA dog food.

Successful candidates were contacted after this period with 16 finalists selected to go through to the finale, some of the finalists included: 

• Alfie Reynolds, local school mascot from Kilkenny
• Molly Saoirse, a therapy dog who entered via Petmania’s online store
• Joey Montana, the brother of last year's winner Bambina, both from Santry
• Nala Keelan from Tullamore, who was abandoned before finding her forever home

For more information about Petmania, the latest advice on pet healthcare and wellbeing and to find your local store, visit www.petmania.ie.