Jackie Idimogu, organiser of the Lagos Dog Festival, now in its fourth year, said the show was aimed at debunking stereotypes of Africans mistreating dogs.

“I have been able to make humans understand that dogs are not just for guards, like they are not just to be kept at the gate or outside the compound,” Idimogu told Reuters.

“I am happy to say that Nigerians are beginning to understand the love language of these animals.”

American Eskimos, Neapolitans, French bulldogs, a Siberian husky and American Staffordshire terrier, maltipoos, poodle crossbreeds, and golden retrievers were some of the pooches that took to the red carpet and won prizes.

Pasha, a six-year-old Caucasian shepherd mix, was crowned dog of the year. He wore black sunglasses and a matching red-and-black scotch outfit with his owner, Hadiza Saidu.

“I chose red because it is vibrant, it is royalty, it is majestic just like him,” said Saidu, in line with this year’s theme, “Splashes of Colours”.

Panda, a black poodle-mix breed, won the “princess in pink” award for her bright outfit, while the prize of “green with envy” went to Ela, an American Eskimo dog, for her floral dress.