French mastiff wins ‘Cutest Pet’ competition

THE White Horse News ‘Cutest Pet’ competition returned this year, crowning a five-year old French Mastiff the winner! 

Hundreds of votes came in across all entries and the lucky winner of a studio pet photo-shoot from Ginger & Black – a dedicated photography studio set in the heart of Chapmanslade – was French Mastiff, Nigel. 

Owned by Kate Brown and Mark Cooper, Nigel stole the hearts of White Horse News readers with the picture of him sitting proudly in a muddy river. 

Kate said, “We’re over the moon that Nigel won! I already knew we had Westbury’s cutest pet, it’s just nice to have it confirmed. 

“Nigel is the epitome of a grumpy old man (which is partly why his name works so well) and we’ve have had him since he was eight weeks old. He actually chose us as all the other puppies ran back to their kennel; he stayed behind and tripped Mark up. He’s very aloof and hates the love we shower him with!” 

Kate added, “He does what he wants when he wants, and at 60kg – it’s hard to persuade him otherwise. He keeps us dangling by occasionally showing us affection which we of course lap up when he does. 

“Nigel is the original toy destroyer with a particular penchant for toys that aren’t his. He enjoys walks, mud and water and has a strong dislike of not getting what he wants, other dogs having fun and pushchairs.” 

Mark said, “He’s always been a big boy. When we first got him as a puppy, he had a tendency to bowl over small children – he still thinks he’s a lapdog now, bless him.”