Dogs and their owners take to the sea in Dorset annual surfing competition

• Watch the paddle boarding dogs in action

Dogs and their owners have taken to the sea in Dorset in the UK’s only canine surfing and paddle board championship.

After having to cancel in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, Dogmasters at Branksome Dene Beach in Poole returned on Sunday morning (25 July) for the third edition since its inception in 2018.

The marine pet show sees people and their dogs hop on to paddle boards and surfboards for tandem races.

Other events include solo surfs where four-legged friends ride the waves alone – with dogs awarded prizes for “style, longest wave, dismount, effort, tricks and most importantly tail wagging”, according to the event’s website.

Run by local aquatic sports business Shaka Surf, Dogmasters also includes a fancy dress competition, with one brave competitor taking to the waves in a fabric Scooby-Doo outfit this year.

The heats ran throughout the day with Labradors, Jack Russells and speedy spaniels giving previous winner Bear the Beagle, some stiff competition on the water.

However it was the reigning champion Bear, who bagged the Dogmasters trophy for the third time running.

Watch: Bear the Beagle and his owner James cross the finish line

James, owner of winner, Bear the Beagle said: “I’ve been taking part since the competition started three years ago. I just love being outdoors and being with the dog.

"I go paddle boarding a lot and I don’t like to leave him at home, so if he can come out with us then it makes it even more fun."