About
The Dog Down Under is calling on Australians to enter their dog, or a dog they know, into one or more of the five competition categories: Most Talented, Sportiest, Heroic , Oldest, and the Hardest Working pooches for the chance to win the Top Dog prize in each category.
We want to hear the stories of our four-legged friends that deserve recognition for their sporting prowess, special skills or talents, those that are making a difference to, and saving people’s lives, as well as Australia’s oldest living dog.
More than just a competition, The Dog Down Under campaign culminates in a 5-part TV series hosted by Lara Shannon, airing nationally on Channel 10 from 7 September 2024, and sharing the entertaining and heart-warming stories of the Finalists and Winners .
About the Host, Lara Shannon
Lara Shannon is one Australia’s leading animal welfare advocates and canine experts, reaching millions of Australians each year through her education work, books and TV shows to help improve the lives of companion animals.
A certified dog trainer and pet food nutrition specialist, Lara has been a regular on Australian TV and radio stations for the past three decades promoting important animal conservation, dog training, behaviour and other pet care issues.
Lara created and is the producer and host of Channel10’s Pooches at Play, Channel 7TWO’s Animal SOS Australia and, most recently, The Dog Down Under to help recognise and celebrate our canine companions.
Lara is also the author of World of Dogs and Eat, Play, Love (Your Dog) and editor of poochesatplay.com
As the Ambassador for Second Chance Animal Rescue, Companion Animal Network Australia and Pets of the Homeless, Lara’s mission is to help reduce the needless euthanasia of adoptable shelter animals to zero. Her cheeky rescue dogs ‘Dynamite Darcy’ and Vindi are never far from her side.
