The Lake Merritt Dog Contest Is Basically the Best Thing That’s Ever Happened
It’s May! That means it’s time to vote! Yes, in the gubernatorial primaries and all of that stress-inducing malarkey. But there’s another important election happening in Oakland that you may not have heard about yet. It’s a race for those of us who need a treat after participating in actual politics. It’s a competition featuring only the best bois, niftiest grrls and stinkiest butts who’ve spread joy in the Town this year. It’s the Lake Merritt Dog Contest and voting is open right the heck now.
There are 145 floofers on the ballot for 2026 – the fifth year of this contest — and voters get to pick three pups each, which is only right and natural because picking just one is entirely impossible. This (not so) short list has everything! There are dogs named after celebrities, like Sasha Fierce, Archie Bon Jovi and Stan Lee. There are dogs rescued from organizations like Muttville, Family Dog, the SPCA, Oakland Animal Services and the Hawaiian Humane Society. And there are dogs — oh so many dogs — wearing hats for some reason.
Longtime Oakland resident Nathan Porter started the contest back in 2022 as a post-pandemic means of raising community spirits. Porter, by day an AV and sound technician, initially put up flyers around his neighborhood for a “Vernon Street Dog Contest” and was genuinely surprised when scores of people signed up. Less surprising (given the fact that so many of his friends immediately embraced voting) was the fact that Porter’s own dog Maggie won Top Dog. This year, Porter has entered his current pup, a shepherd mix named Lisa who is “Lake Merritt’s gentlest gentle giant.”
The greatest twist of the Lake Merritt Dog Contest — the name changed when Porter relocated to Cleveland Heights — is that truthfully, every dog who enters wins, in their own way. Each is crowned with their very own superlative (Best Dressed, Sweetest Mama, Most Artistic, Classiest Canine, Best Personality, etc.) and the pups that make it to the annual awards ceremony are presented with a trophy and certificate. That, Porter says, is because “every dog is the best dog.”
Another twist? Not every dog is an actual dog. In 2023, second place went to a tiny horse named Cupcake. (“Though she may not appear as a dog,” her profile read, “this Shetland pony is just a large ball of fur, ready to snuggle up in your lap.”) Last year, third place went to a cat named Richard. (“He has a penis for a face and thinks he’s a dog” was his entire description.)
“The contest has always been open to dogs of all kinds,” Porter tells KQED. “I’ve known people my whole life that are like, ‘Oh, I’m more of a dog person but my cat acts just like a dog.’ So, you know, I figured, let’s have a very inclusive practice.”
This year’s contest includes Beanie, a cat who loves “to play fetch & cuddle up at the foot of the bed every night. They’ve got a loud bark & will let you know when they enter the room or tell you to stop coughing.”
Voting, which began on May 17, closes on Sunday, May 31. This year’s awards ceremony will be held the same day near Lake Merritt’s iconic Fairyland sign. Porter organizes and funds everything relating to the contest entirely on his own — including hiring musician JW Francis to write a theme tune for the competition last year. Which, incidentally, sounds like pure unfiltered sunshine:
Porter’s primary future goal is to find a volunteer skywriter to show the competing dogs some love in the East Bay heavens.
“The contest does cost me money,” Porter says, “but, I don’t know, it’s worth it. It’s fun. It’s making people happy, and I’m happy doing it. It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors and other dogs out there. It’s just really nice to have that sense of familiarity with all of your neighbors, both human and canine.”
You can vote for your favorite dogs at the Lake Merritt Dog Contest’s website now. Details of all things relating to the contest, present and future, can be found by following the official Instagram account.
