International Dog Day 2021 has seen man and woman's best friend celebrated across the planet.

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.

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

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

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

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

Barking and Dagenham Post: Bella!Bella! (Image: Rachel Rogers)

Barking and Dagenham Post: Liver spotted dalmatian Bertie.Liver spotted dalmatian Bertie. (Image: Chantelle Kemp)

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

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

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

Barking and Dagenham Post: Yorkshire terrier Daisy is six years old.Yorkshire terrier Daisy is six years old. (Image: Shekhar Mahabir)

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

Barking and Dagenham Post: French bulldog Rico is just 10 months old.French bulldog Rico is just 10 months old. (Image: Kim Finn)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Barking and Dagenham Post: Lola is an 11-year-old Jack Russell.Lola is an 11-year-old Jack Russell. (Image: Clare Russell)

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

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

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

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

Barking and Dagenham Post: Pixie is an 18-month-old pug.Pixie is an 18-month-old pug. (Image: Rosie Albany)

Barking and Dagenham Post: Prince is a three-year-old pomeranian.Prince is a three-year-old pomeranian. (Image: Lauren Anderson)

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

Barking and Dagenham Post: Ginger terrier Jack Russell-cross Rocky, 12, black pug staffie-cross Beau, 12 and Millie, 10, is a chihuahua crossed with a Yorkshire terrier.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)

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

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

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

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

Barking and Dagenham Post: Skye is a 10-year-old staffie.Skye is a 10-year-old staffie. (Image: Kimberly Fowell)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Barking and Dagenham Post: Boxer Charlie is seven years old.Boxer Charlie is seven years old. (Image: Sandra Bixby)

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

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