HIS NAME might be Puzzle, but there is no doubt that this cute canine has the character which makes him a top dog.

The terrier has leapt into the regional finals of a nationwide contest after his owner, Linda Batcheldor, of Bishopstoke, came up with a photograph which best captured her pet's personality.

The Riverside Veterinary Surgery in Scotter Road, Bishopstoke, asked clients to dig out favourite snaps of their pets.

It was eight-year-old Puzzle's cheeky looks in the photograph, which is currently in the hands of the competition judges, that won the vote from the Riverside staff and put his owner in contention for an award. Judges will pick 13 regional winners who will each receive an

individually commissioned portrait of their pet.

Puzzle was born at the Happy Dogs Rescue in Ringwood and has been with Linda since he was 14 weeks old.

Delighted that his photo had been picked for the contest, she said: "He is a cheeky and intelligent dog. He is very friendly and picks up tricks easily. Puzzle is also a great companion."

One of his favourite pastimes is picking blackberries and eating them.

He is also a dog with a high IQ.

Linda said: "By looking through a mirror at the bottom of the stairs he can see a reflection of me in the kitchen.

"When I open the cupboard which has his treats in he comes running down the stairs."