The February Editors' photo challenge

The theme for our February Editor's photo challenge was "Canine Capers."

Not every great photograph needs to be serious or technically flawless. Sometimes the best images are the ones that make you laugh or cry. For this latest showcase, we turned our attention to “Canine Capers”, a celebration of dogs being their wonderfully chaotic selves. We asked you to share the moments that happen between the posed shots: the flying ears mid-sprint, the guilty looks after a toppled trash can, the unapologetic couch takeovers. What came back is a gallery full of personality, motion and mischief.

As always, we received many more great photos than we can feature here. Our favorites, showcasing a diverse range of vision and talent, are presented in random order.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this photo challenge. If you'd like to participate in other photo challenges, you can visit our Challenges page to see currently open or upcoming challenges, or to vote in a recently closed challenge.

Jack and the giant

Photographer: DavidNikonD500

Photographer's statement: This photo shows how much impact the weather has on birds. There were tons of Robins wandering around, searching for food until the snow would completely cover the ground. But there was one particular Robin that not only caught my attention, but also my dog's. The Robin was fearless (or blind); sometimes it even sat on one of my dogs. I was impressed by this sight (and so were the dogs). So I tried my luck and got this capture among others. I know it is not perfect since it happened very fast, and I only had time to focus on the dog's nose. But still, it is a very interesting sight.

Equipment: Nikon D500

My glorious girl

Photographer: Drazen Stojcic

Photographer's statement: Nothing makes my dalmatian girl, Pika, more excited than a chance to charge straight into the Adriatic sea and fetch one of her toys. Over time, I've started going into the water myself, setting up with my camera and just trying to catch that perfect moment when everything is just right. Wife handles the toy throwing, I handle the camera, and Pika handles the fun. It's a win-win-win!

It's far from a simple task. A Dalmatian's spotted coat frequently confuses the autofocus, and all the droplets flying everywhere don't help either. Add to that the incredible speed and agility these dogs have and it's no wonder sometimes I'll take a thousand average photos for just one keeper. This was taken on a late summer afternoon on the Croatian coast, only moments after sunset. It turned out to be one of my favorite photos of Pika, so I naturally had to share it with the DPReview audience!

Equipment: Canon EOS R5 Mark II + Canon RF 100-300mm F2.8L IS USM

Snow falling on shelty

Photographer: RumpelHund

Photographer's statement: Walking the dog in the first snow of the winter, my Z8 (Z7 back then) with the 200/2.0 is the go-to combo as long as I can carry it. Close to the ground, things got easier since the sheltie lady got older and calmer.

Equipment: Nikon Z7 + Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200mm F/2G ED VR II

Kuri at sunset

Photographer: Calretas

Photographer's statement: There's a beach in the Algarve called Olhos d'Agua that is famous for its sweet water springs and natural lagoons that are only visible during low tide. It's one of my favorite places for photography; the lagoons make for great mirrors, creating awesome compositions. On this day, especially with the clouds, an incredible element of drama and color was added.

Equipment: Canon EOS R6 + Canon EF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM

Skye, having full focus on the treat

Photographer: Ronald53

Photographer's statement: We decided to take some photos of our dog, Skye, trying to catch a treat. This was the first time we tried such a setup: Our dog, a background, two speedlights, my wife throwing the treats, me behind the camera, and a lot of patience. Skye loved it. She always enjoys doing tasks, and she was generously rewarded, as it took multiple shots (and more treats for Skye) to get this result.

Equipment: Nikon Z8 + Nikon Nikkor Z 24-120mm F4 S

Doggles

Photographer: jaberg

Photographer's statement: Gigi was a boon traveling companion, but she was also stubborn. She’d walk for miles. When she grew tired and was put in the backpack, she’d demand to be set down again, take three steps, then look up at you and demand to be put back in the pack. When shod in boots for snowshoeing trips she’d shed the boots... at first. The same was true for her doggles in the Badlands of South Dakota.

Equipment: Apple iPhone 11 Pro

No sugar required

Photographer: GrantsImages

Photographer's statement: My dog is 15 now, but when he was a puppy, he fit in this teacup-shaped planter. My wife kept his attention while I took several photos. This was my favorite!

Equipment: Nikon D800 + Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm F1.8D

Windy day

Photographer: Wrancea

Photographer's statement: Walking in the city, I found this little one wandering. When I called him, he stopped and looked at us, then ran in the other direction at full speed. Snapshot.

Equipment: Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II + Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS Pro

I laugh at your fences

Photographer: SkippyPics

Photographer's statement: Our four-foot fence was no match for our Great Dane, who, just as she matured out of puppyhood, was eager to show she could fill anyone's dance card.

Equipment: Canon EOS 7D Mark II + Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8L IS II USM

Lotte and the sunrise

Photographer: Zorro73

Photographer's statement: While having an early morning walk with my beloved Maltipoo Girl Lotte, I had the luck of witnessing the sun rising just between the horizon and a heavy bank of of clouds. Lotte sat there so patiently in the cold that I could not resist to portrait her in front of the great sunrise light.

Equipment: Nikon Zf + Sirui Aurora 8mm F1.4

Bruce likes Jess

Photographer: Jack Simpson

Photographer's statement: Jess, a Belgian-born barista working at Milano's Espresso Lounge in Vancouver's Gastown neighbourhood, gets a very loving welcome from Bruce, a new puppy in the neighbourhood.

Equipment: Pentax K-3 + Tamron SP AF 70-200mm F2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro

Maja and deer

Photographer: kreeart

Photographer's statement: This photo captures a rare moment between my Chihuahua, Maja, and a herd of deer in our park. While many dogs would chase them or feel afraid, Maja stood calm and steady, gently approaching them and slowly walking towards them with quiet confidence. For a brief second, everything felt perfectly balanced. The deer watched her without fear, and she watched them without tension. It was a silent exchange between wild and domestic, and the only time I managed to frame it.

Equipment: Fujifilm X-T5

Loar, my best friend

Photographer: Elyjenka

Photographer's statement: Here’s a portrait of Loar, my White Swiss Shepherd and my best friend. He helped me find my smile again and gave me the strength to learn photography, despite my visual impairment. I have albinism, so together we are a white-haired duo.

Equipment: Sony a7 III + Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T*

Olive in the wildflowers

Photographer: ltsbrettbryan

Photographer's statement: Olive is sitting in a bed of wildflowers at one of her favorite places at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. While she loves living in Michigan's cold, the humans do not. So every year we take a long road trip to my parents’ place in Texas. They have quite a large property, so Olive gets to escape the city and be the free-roaming farm dog she always wished she could be.

Equipment: Nikon Z7 II

You'll be mine

Photographer: milarix

Photographer's statement: We have a new friend at home: Mina, an Australian shepherd. Our little four-legged friend looked at the strange colored ball, thinking: You're too beautiful, you'll be mine!

Equipment: Canon EOS R6 + Canon RF 24-105mm F4L IS USM

Border twins

Photographer: Vlado Minarik

Photographer's statement: Sara and Amy grew up together in a tourist lodge in the heart of the Mala Fatra National Park in Slovakia. Here they look after sheep, goats and chickens. They provide pleasant company to hungry tourists who bring their fragrant dinner from the kitchen to the terrace to check if they have eaten everything. It was a pleasure to work here for almost five years. These furry ladies are now my great friends.

Equipment: iPhone 12 mini

Walking in the forest

Photographer: The Bokeh

Photographer's statement: Lucie loved walking in the forest and could enjoy the whole day outdoors. She was walking towards me when I noticed this little path would make a good background with the bokeh.

Equipment: Fujifilm X-T4 + Fujifilm XF 50mm F2 R WR

Air Riley

Photographer: Looleylawylow

Photographer's statement: Riley is a Mini Goldendoodle who was about 18 months old when this shot was taken on an overcast fall afternoon in Columbus, Ohio. Riley slept well that night, and her human sister, visible in the background, had a sore arm the next day.

Equipment: Sony a7 III + Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS

Whassup?

Photographer: Zorgsonic76

Photographer's statement: Our Maltipoo "Knopfchen" (German for "little button") loves to hang out. I've never caught him in a cooler position, though. I am happy I had my phone right at hand.

Equipment: Samsung Galaxy S23

Weimaraner at attention

Photographer: PeterMiller

Photographer's statement: I asked Winston (the Weimaraner) to pose for me to try out the new portrait lens I had just purchased. He obligingly sat still for a few seconds so I could snap a shot, and then he promptly ran off chasing something.

Equipment: Olympus PEN-F

Woser

Photographer: Robot57

Photographer's statement: This dog, a Tibetan something named Woser, was nicknamed Bulldozer. Regularly escaped through the fence to have day-long adventures in the neighbourhood. Also enjoyed walks on the beach and an occasional dip. Sadly passed away at age 13. Remembered fondly.

Equipment: Canon EOS M