Pooches, pugs, mutts and mongrels were strutting their stuff at the Shoreditch dog show on Sunday.

Hundreds of owners and spectators crowded around the judging arena, while 60 dogs competed in categories including ‘Waggiest tail’ and ‘Who’s who’ for the dog that most looks like their owner. Several contestants were seen de-stressing with a workout on the doggy assault course.

Winners included:

• Prince Floppy
‘Handsome hound: Best looking dog of Shoreditch’
• Pippy
‘Ditch and Bitch: Best looking bitch of Shoreditch’
• Randall
‘Shoreditch Stardom: Best dog in Show’

The show was organised by Sheona Alexander – dog lover and manager of SCT’s personal development and training centre, the New Hanbury Project.

“It was a fantastic turnout and really great atmosphere. There was so much ‘oooh’-ing and ‘aaah’-ing and lovely to see so many locals having fun and getting to know each other”.

“Our gardening students at the New Hanbury Project have been lovingly restoring the Church gardens but keep having to pick up dog mess. By holding this dog show we hope to remind local dog owners to pick up after their pooches, have fun and proudly show what we have achieved in the gardens on very limited resources.” @recoverypathway

A member of the crowd was overwhelmed by cuteness, exclaiming “I have to leave before I die”. Others were keen to get take-home value from the event – one was overheard during the ‘Waggiest tail’ round asking an accomplice ”Which one shall we steal?”.

There were lots of freebie giveaways including free microchipping by the Dog’s Trust and dog and owner portraits. Lovely coffee and pastries were also be served by the Trust’s social enterprise cafe, Paper & Cup.

The event raised nearly a thousand pounds for the Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT), a local charity helping the homeless and people in recovery from drugs and alcohol addiction.

Contact
For interviews and high-res images, please email communications@sct.org.uk

About the Spitalfields Crypt Trust
• Spitalfields Crypt Trust is an East London charity providing practical help, support and training to people who have been homeless and suffering from addiction.
• It runs a drop in, rehabilitation hostel, personal development & training centre and a number of social enterprises to allow recovering addicts to gain work experience and training.
• www.sct.org.uk Registered office: Acorn House 116-118 Shoreditch High Street London E1 6JN. Spitalfields Crypt Trust is registered in England and Wales and limited by guarantee. Registered Charity No. 1075947 Company No 37347930