A pugnacious pet has scooped the Dorset Echo’s Pet Idol title.

This year’s winner is Milo, a pug shih tzu cross, who lives with the Newport family in Viscount Road, Weymouth.

This year’s event saw stiff competition as furry entrants battled it out.

Cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, parrots, ferrets, fish, chinchillas, horses and even a budgie were among the contestants.

Dorset Echo teamed up with Wowz Canvas and The Pet Experience to award the winner six months worth of Eastbrooks pet food and a 12x18 canvas picture of the winning pet.

The runner-up received three months worth of pet food and an A4 sized canvas picture.

Milo celebrates his second birthday later this month and will spend it celebrating with owners Maureen, 36, Ian, 38, and their children Jacob, seven, and Erin, three.

Mrs Newport said that the family couldn’t be prouder of Milo and that he was very well behaved and went to obedience classes, often taking part in displays. She said: “Pugs are quite a lot of dog in a small body – he is always keeping us busy and entertained.

“He’s our little clown. He can be a cheeky monkey and he loves to show off and gets lots of attention.”

She added: “It’s lovely recognition that other people think he’s as lovely as we do.

“He’s so special to us. Regardless of any achievement he gets, he’s special to us every day.”

Milo has a special talent for performing tricks.

He can dance and stand up but more impressively he can roll over and play dead when someone pretends to shoot him with a pretend gun made out of their hand.

Runner up, Nici Lady, prefers to take life at a more ladylike pace.

She is a four-year-old Parson Jack Russell and lives in Gallwey Road, Wyke Regis with owners Gillian and Ronald Trevett.

She was given her name by Mrs Trevett, 67, who changed her name from Nici to Nici Lady, as people thought she was a boy.

Mrs Trevett said: “I’m thrilled to bits. She is a very affectionate family dog.

“She’s a pretty little girl and so good.

“I have never won anything in my life before and I was so shocked – I couldn’t believe it.”

She added: “She’s a little lady too and she loves to sit on her cushions in the sun.

“She is very energetic and loves to play. She would be happy playing all day.”

Nici Lady goes for three walks a day with Mr Trevett, 80, and loves to curl up with Mrs Trevett in the evenings and watch television.

The only thing she doesn’t like is the rain and will refuse to go out if the weather is bad.