Carlow puppy represents local store at Petmania's Puppy of the Year Competition 2023

Petmania hosted the final of the Puppy of the Year competition over the weekend with Carlow puppy Saddie Sheridan, a Border Collie, representing the Carlow 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 Carlow store at the final in Kilkenny, Saddie's owner Katie-May Sheridan said,:

"I am very proud of Sadie for getting this far, I was so overjoyed and delighted with Saddie getting through to the finals. It's been a wonderful experience that we will never forget. Thank you very much to the judges and everyone who has voted!".

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.