Voting Ends 7/31/2025 at 5:00:00 PM Pacific Time

Sonoma County’s Top Dog Photo Contest

Leading up to our 2025 Spring Lake Water Bark and in celebration of 60+ dog-friendly Sonoma County Regional Parks, the Sonoma County Parks Foundation is hosting our second annual summer 2025 Top Dog photo contest as a fundraiser to benefit Regional Parks.

Two winning dogs – one selected by the public and one by our judges’ panel – will be “Top Dogs”!

Winning photos will also be featured on the Sonoma County Parks Foundation website, newsletters and social media. We welcome all photographers who are residents or visitors in Sonoma County, regardless of skill level or experience.

We will have two categories of winners. "People's Choice" winners will be selected based on popular votes through the website www.gogophotocontest.com/parksfoundationtopdog. "Judges' Choice" winners will be selected by a panel of distinguished judges. Learn more about our judges and the rubric for judging.

A 2026 “Sonoma County’s Top Dog” calendar will be awarded to Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice prize winners, and the calendar also will be available for purchase. Pre-order your calendar here. The $25 price includes tax and shipping and supports our beloved Sonoma County Regional Parks.


Meet our judges! 

Julie Vader was the official photographer for Spring Lake’s Water Bark event for many years and has contributed to publications like the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Sonoma Index-Tribune, Sonoma Magazine, Sunset, and Western Horseman. Based in Sonoma, she loves photographing dogs—especially since they never complain about the results! https://www.julievader.com/

Sherri Oster is an award-winning Sonoma County photographer currently pursuing master candidate status with the Santa Rosa Photographic Society. Since 2015, she has studied the art of photography through classes, workshops, and camera clubs, and now captures events, portraits, and pets for commercial clients. Her work reflects a passion for spontaneous beauty and storytelling through images. Recent honors include multiple Best in Show awards at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in 2023 and 2024. www.sherriophoto.com

Heidi Adler is an award-winning, internationally accredited pet photographer and educator based in Sonoma County, California. Known for capturing the unique personality and emotional connection between pets and their people, her work ranges from playful action shots to soulful portraits. A passionate advocate for animal welfare, Heidi also donates her time to local rescues and service dog organizations, using her photography to help animals find loving homes. https://www.heidiadlerphotography.com/portfolio

 

 

 

Good luck and thanks for entering! 


Reserve a Day to Honor Your Dog
Just want a guaranteed spot in the calendar? Reserve a day to honor your dog. This can be for your dog's adoption anniversary, birthday, loved one's birthday, memorial or really any special day! Your dog's photo will appear on the day of your choice. Just choose your favorite photo and then choose the day and pay! First come first served! Once a date has been reserved, it will no longer be available.

Reserve Your Day Here →
Prizes

First 150 entries will receive a coupon for a FREE retractable leash from Pawsarotti’s!

 

Judges’ Choice

 

First Place:

  • Cover of Sonoma County’s Top Dog calendar
  • Taylor Mountain Canine Retreat Gift Basket: Includes three nights of boarding, bath and nail trim 
  • Regional Parks membership and Season Pass to 2025 Water Bark
  • Free copy of Sonoma County’s Top Dog calendar, Western Farm dog wash

 

Second Place:

  • One month featured photo in Sonoma County’s Top Dog calendar
  • A free assessment and four 1-hour private training sessions at Good Dawg Training
  • Regional Parks membership and Season Pass to 2025 Water Bark
  • Free copy of Sonoma County’s Top Dog calendar, Western Farm dog wash

 

Third Place:

  • One month featured photo in Sonoma County’s Top Dog calendar
  • Regional Parks membership and Season Pass to 2025 Water Bark
  • Free copy of Sonoma County’s Top Dog calendar, Western Farm dog wash

 

Remaining Top Five

  • Two comp passes to Spring Lake Water Bark 2025 
  • One free dog wash at Western Farm Center

  

Peoples’ Choice

 

First Place:

  • One month featured photo in Sonoma County’s Top Dog calendar
  • Taylor Mountain Canine Retreat Gift Basket: Includes three nights of boarding, bath and nail trim 
  • Regional Parks membership and Season Pass to 2025 Water Bark
  • Free copy of Sonoma County’s Top Dog calendar, Western Farm dog wash

 

Second Place:

  • One month featured photo in Sonoma County’s Top Dog calendar
  • Custom-made dog sweater certificate* from Snark and Cuddles
  • Regional Parks membership and Season Pass to 2025 Water Bark
  • Free copy of Sonoma County’s Top Dog calendar, Western Farm dog wash

 

Third Place:

  • One month featured photo in Sonoma County’s Top Dog calendar
  • Regional Parks membership and Season Pass to 2025 Water Bark
  • Free copy of Sonoma County’s Top Dog calendar, Western Farm dog wash

 

Remaining Top Five

  • Two comp passes to Spring Lake Water Bark 2025 
  • One free dog wash at Western Farm Center

  

*Snark and Cuddles certificates covers a sweater made for a dog with a neck of 16 inches or less.

 

About Us

The Sonoma County Parks Foundation is the nonprofit that supports more than 60 dog-friendly parks and trails throughout the Sonoma County Regional Parks system, as well as programs for children, adults, seniors and underserved populations in the parks.

The Parks Foundation also hosts the annual Spring Lake Water Bark, the largest dog-friendly event in the North Bay. At this popular event, dogs get to swim in the Spring Lake Swimming Lagoon on weekends in September.

Your participation in this photo contest – as a contest entrant or a voter – helps us raise vital funds for parks where you can enjoy the great outdoors with your four-legged buddy! This fundraiser also supports programs that serve children and teens in parks, trail construction and renovations, and climate action projects. Thank you!

Raised $646
Goal $20,000

Recent Donations

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Green Valley
sonoma Clean Power
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Rob DeVenuto Photography
Taylor Mountain Canine Retreat
Pawsarotti
Perry, Johnson, Anderson, Miller & Moskowitz
Stanley Seemer
AcCounting on Computers
Western Farms 2
Good Dawg Training
Exchange Bank
Snark and Cuddles
Abacus Financial
Sonoma County Parks Foundation
400 Aviation Blvd Suite 100
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
sonomacountyparksfoundation.org
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