MEET the top dog and cool cat named joint winners of the Daily Echo's 2023 Pet Idol competition. 

Two-year-old pomeranian Leo from Poole has been named the prettiest pooch by Bournemouth Echo readers, alongside black and white kitty, Chloe, two, from Broadstone.

Noémi Kosztúr, mum to Leo, said Pet Idol was their first competition, but after his claim to fame Leo might be appearing more often.

Bournemouth Echo: Leo with owner Noémi Kosztúr

“My friends receive the paper and said that I should send Leo’s picture, maybe he has some chance to win,” said Noémi.

“People always say he’s really pretty and I thought he was pretty for me, but I didn’t think he would be so popular for other people.”

Noémi said she was ‘really delighted’ to find out Leo had won and can’t wait to enter more competitions.

READ MORE: Pet Idol 2023: vote for your favourite in today's Daily Echo

Pet Idol, in association with Wolfies Raw and More Dog Food, had more than 170 entrees, including dogs, cats, fish and even a bearded dragon.

Wolfies is a family run business based on the Nuffield Industrial Estate open seven days a week and stocks a variety of good quality raw food and slow steam cooked food and air-dried natural treats.

The second winner, Chloe, is described as an inquisitive and adventurous cat who loves to be outdoors and climb trees.

Her owners, Sharon Earl and Pete Smith, ‘fell in love with her’ when they found her as a stray in a barn at just four months old.

Bournemouth Echo: Chloe with owners , Sharon Earl and Pete Smith

Sharon said she was ‘delighted’ when she found out Chloe had won Pet Idol.

“It brought tears to my eyes, we’re just really proud of her,” said Sharon.

Chloe has proven popular in both the competition and among friends and family, with Sharon saying that she is loved in the neighbourhood.

“All our neighbours love her.

“We’re a little cul de sac and everybody knows her, I think she’s a dear to people’s hearts.”

Despite her self-admitted bias, Sharon said Chloe is a ‘beautiful’ cat with a lovely, friendly nature.

“We have always though she was a very pretty puss, and when my mum saw the competition in the paper we just thought, let’s go for it,” said Sharon.

Sharon said if another competition came up, she will definitely be entering Chloe again.

Wolfies Raw and More Dog Food gifted each winner a £50 voucher.

Ian and Gina Power, of Wolfies Raw and More Dog Food, said: “As one of the leading raw dog food suppliers in Poole, we were delighted to sponsor the Pet Idol competition and to see all the fabulous photos recently published in the Daily Echo. 

“Congratulations to the two winners, voted for by the Daily Echo readers.”