Gallery: A selection of Barking and Dagenham's impeccable pooches

Founded as National Dog Day in 2004 by animal rescue advocate Colleen Paige, the annual event is celebrated on August 26.

Dogs of mixed breed and pure pedigree are honoured as part of a mission to help galvanize the public in recognising the number of pooches in need of rescue each year.

Barking and Dagenham has a remarkable share of dog lovers, evidenced by the sheer number of photos readers have sent to the Post of their furry friends.

From border terriers to French bulldogs, chihuahuas to giant schnauzers, the borough's canines know how to strike a pose and will not be sniffed at!

Given the name of the borough, this should probably come as no surprise.

Presented here in no particular order are 41 of Barking and Dagenham's finest furry friends.

He shoots... French bulldog Ace is a year old and already in training. (Image: Terri Johns)

Cuddle me! Yorkie Ace is a year old. (Image: Gloria Dunn)

Bailey was adopted almost three years ago and is clearly well loved. (Image: Sally Di Menno)

R-L: Border terriers Barney, aged five, and Reggie, three. (Image: Ella Green)

Bella! (Image: Rachel Rogers)

Liver spotted dalmatian Bertie. (Image: Chantelle Kemp)

Dapper doggy Buster is 12 and a cross between a chihuahua and Jack Russell. (Image: Claire Ellis)

Six-year-old Buttonz enjoys watching the world go by at Barking Station. (Image: Shekhar Mahabir)

Cockapoo Elwood is nine and it looks like he's ready for bed! (Image: Gillian Faulkner)

Yorkshire terrier Daisy is six years old. (Image: Shekhar Mahabir)

Dolly is a one-year-old chihuahua crossed with a pomeranian. (Image: Lilymay Lotter)

French bulldog Rico is just 10 months old. (Image: Kim Finn)

As sweet as... Fudge is five years old and a shih tzu. (Image: Denise Gaish)

Yorkie shih tzu-cross Harley is two and a half years old. (Image: Vicky Slade)

L-R: Mother and daughter giant schnauzers Karma, six, and Kizmet, one. (Image: Clare Rawlinson)

Come on you Irons! Kat is a 10-year-old staffie. (Image: Hammer Griffin)

Kiki is cute, and aged five. (Image: Patsy Houghton)

Loki is just 12 weeks old and a cane corso. (Image: Terri Pearman)

Lola is an 11-year-old Jack Russell. (Image: Clare Russell)

Time to cool off! Labrador Louie is two years and 10 months old. (Image: Angela Oddi)

Best of friends Luna - a six-year-old English mastiff - and shih tzu Ozzie, also six. (Image: Bronwen Habberley)

Looking cool! Mikey is six years old and clearly loves to skate. (Image: Lisa Bush)

Play time! Willow is a black labrador and she is two years eight months. (Image: Katie O'Sullivan)

Pixie is an 18-month-old pug. (Image: Rosie Albany)

Prince is a three-year-old pomeranian. (Image: Lauren Anderson)

Ralphie is a six-year-old Jack Russell pug cross. (Image: Chris Tucker)

Ginger terrier Jack Russell-cross Rocky, 12, black pug staffie-cross Beau, 12 and Millie, 10, is a chihuahua crossed with a Yorkshire terrier. (Image: Jacqueline Calder)

Rocky is a three-year-old American akita. (Image: Ricky Lowdell)

Time for a lie down! Riley is a German shepherd aged seven. (Image: Alvin Maker)

Della is a three-year-old Romanian rescue pup. (Image: Louise Armitage)

Sky is a two-year-old Belgian malinois. (Image: Nicola Wood)

Skye is a 10-year-old staffie. (Image: Kimberly Fowell)

Socks is a two-year-old shih tzu. (Image: Laura Miller)

Sitting pretty - Teddy is five and won most handsome dog at Scruffts in 2018. Pictured here with his brother Timmy (right). (Image: Tara Ellison)

Seven-year-old Tuuts is a chorkie - a chihuahua crossed with a Yorkshire terrier. (Image: Kirstie Jowers)

Barney is 14 and a bit soppy, according to owner Sarah. (Image: Sarah Smith)

What a smile! Brian is a seven-year-old staffie crossed with a Jack Russell. (Image: Rick Farrow)

Buddy is a 10-year-old dalmador - a labrador crossed with a dalmation. (Image: Richard Sawyer)

Boxer Charlie is seven years old. (Image: Sandra Bixby)

Storm is a three-year-old German shepherd. (Image: Kyle Weinberg)

11-year-old Jarvis looks ready for walkies! (Image: Irene Drew)