Tails were wagging but teeth were bared as some of Redbridge’s proudest pooches competed for the title of Wanstead’s top dog on Sunday.

%image(15070711, type="article-full", alt="Phoebe Bull with her pet Labradoodle - the pair won the "best lookalike" category.")

The second Wanstead Dog Show, in Christ Church Gardens, Wanstead Place, drew hundreds of competitors in categories from “best rescue dog” to “best beard”.

%image(15070711, type="article-full", alt="Phoebe Bull with her pet Labradoodle - the pair won the "best lookalike" category.")

Five-year-old Bambi, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, won the prize for “waggiest tail”, while Billy the German Shepherd was the best dog and Diamond, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was best bitch.

Nearby pet shop Heads and Tails in High Street, Wanstead, provided treats for the competitors and staff from Aldersbrook Dog Training sat on the judging panel.

Hundreds of dog owners and spectators turned out to see the show, which followed in the paw prints of last year’s event.

Proceeds go to the Parish of Wanstead to raise money to restore the roof of the 150-year-old Christ Church.

Founder Jacqui Bull, 41, hopes to hold another dog show next year.

She said: “The thing I really like about the show is how it brings together lots of different members of the community rather than the usual faces.

“It was so professional and looked just like a village in a shire somewhere rather than the middle of London.”