The American Farm Bureau is accepting nominations for its Farm Dog of the Year contest
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is looking for the next superstar farm dog.
The organization is accepting applications for its 2021 Farm Dog of the Year contest until Aug. 20. Farm dog owners must be Farm Bureau members to enter.
The winners will be announced in September.
Dog owners are required to submit written responses to questions and photos of their pet. Video clips can be submitted as well but they aren’t a requirement.
Entrants will be judged on “helpfulness to the farmer and his/her family, playfulness and obedience.”
The competition, now in its third year, celebrates the four-legged companions who work alongside America’s farmers as they produce food for people and dogs alike.
Dogs are often considered man’s best friend and even during the pandemic, a dog owner can count on their pet to be there when needed.
“Even in these uncertain times, farm and ranch work doesn’t stop, and farmers count on farm dogs to be right there to face these challenges together,” Zippy Duvall, president of AFBF, said in a release.
A panel will select a total of five winners.
The grand prize winner will be recognized as the 2021 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the year, receive one year’s worth of Purina dry dog food and a $5,000 cash prize to be presented at a ceremony during the AFBF convention in January 2021.
Four runners-up will each receive a $1,000 cash prize.
In addition, the People’s Choice Pup, which will be selected from a list of 10 online profiles, will receive a $50 cash prize. Voting for that contest will begin in October.
Farms.com has reached out to dog owners and past winners for comment.
And be sure to check out this list of the top six dog breeds found on farms.