FAQ – 2025 Cutest Dog Contest

To reach our customer service, please email contests@washingtonian.com.

What formats of photo are accepted?
You can submit JPEGs or PNGs under 5MB.

Can I submit more than one dog in one photo/entry?
Unfortunately, only one dog per entry! You can submit multiple images of your dog(s) in the contest, but each image must be a separate entry (and will count separately in the voting). Collage photos are not accepted. All images submitted with multiple subjects (including with any humans or multiple pets/animals) in one image will be automatically disqualified from the voting.

I noticed an error: How can I edit the image/description that I submitted?
You can edit your entry description and image before voting begins by going to the "My Entries" tab and logging in with your email. Once the voting period begins, all entries are final and you can no longer make edits.

Can I submit an entry after the submission period?
Unfortunately, no entries are permitted after the submissions deadline has passed. Make sure to follow us on social media for other contests, as we run several per year! You can find us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

During the voting period, how many times can I vote?
You can vote for ten contestants total during the established voting period.

What is a contest beneficiary?
Washingtonian partners with a local non-profit on each photo contest. A portion of the entry fee you pay gets donated to this organization.

What is included with your submission fee?
A digital faux cover personalized to showcase your submitted image and dog’s name. A non-profit donation to the aforementioned contest beneficiary and an annual subscription to Washingtonian is also included with every submission. If you are already a subscriber, your subscription will be extended for an additional year.

What is a faux cover?
A faux cover is designed to look like a Washingtonian magazine cover, but is not real (and won’t actually get published). The file is a fun keepsake for you to post, print or distribute as you best see fit.

When will I receive my faux cover?
Within a month after the winners announcement. We create faux covers by hand, so we appreciate your patience as this usually takes a few weeks from the contest end date to complete.