Dog Elvis wins Most Beautiful Zinneke contest

A dog named Elvis (pictured) was elected Brussels' 'Most Beautiful Zinneke of 2015' on Saturday in the third edition of the contest organised by the Prince Laurent Foundation and merchants from the Marché aux Poissons. The name of the contest refers to the Zinneke Pis, a statue of a urinating dog, erected in Brussels in 1998.

Only mixed-breed dogs are eligible to take part in the light-hearted competition, whose aim is to draw attention to the Prince Laurent Foundation, an organisation that takes care of the pets of people with a low income across Belgium, writes brusselnieuws.be.

"These animals play an important social role," explains veterinarian John Smets on brusselnieuws.be. Since 2012, the Foundation also provides night shelter near Brussels Central Station during the winter months for homeless people and their pets.

The Foundation has partner agreements with the faculties of veterinary medicine at the universities of Ghent and Liège, providing practical training opportunities for the final year students.

Elvis won over the jury with his kind demeanor and good looks: "Elvis is the archetype of a Zinneke, with his natural brown colour, his mustache and beard and cheerful character," concluded the jury.