Cutest dog winner announced: Mary MacKillop College cavoodle Bonnie wins the 2024 title

More than 300 top dogs were in the running for the title, but just one pawfect pooch has been named The Advertiser’s Cutest Dog of 2024.

Bonnie the caring cavoodle is more than the teacher’s pet after being crowned winner of The Advertiser’s Cutest Dog Competition, beating out more than 300 nominations.

We first met Bonnie during our search for the state’s cutest canine, while she was working as the wellbeing dog at Mary MacKillop College.

This time, we visited her at her Adelaide home to share the paw-tastic news.

“We are thrilled to hear that she won the competition, we will proudly display the trophy in the front reception area,” Mary MacKillop principal and Bonnie’s pawrent Sonia Nelson said.

Cutest dog winner Bonnie works as the wellbeing dog at Mary MacKillop College, where owner Sonia Nelson is the principal. Picture: Tom Huntley

While Bonnie’s first love is the students at Mary MacKillop College, Ms Nelson says that her pooch is just as adorable when she is at home.

“From the moment we brought this little bundle of joy home, she’s been such a friendly, happy dog,” Ms Nelsons said.

“She’s just the perfect dog.”

Ms Nelson and her family adopted Bonnie last year and after witnessing her beautiful temperament and calm nature, she decided to share Bonnie with her school community.

“As principal at Mary MacKillop and knowing how well she would be received, we thought what a perfect combination to have a beautiful new puppy in our lives, but also be able to bring that same sort of joy to the staff, students and passers by at the school,” Ms Nelson said.

Cutest dog winner Bonnie with owners Sonia and Ian Nelson. Picture: Tom Huntley

As Bonnie continues to grow out of her puppy phase, Ms Nelson hopes that she will be able to spend more time in classrooms assisting the school counsellor and students with special needs.

“Now that she’s not quite as puppy silly, she can actually spend time chilling in classrooms or areas like she would at home, especially with our new year sevens,”

“I’m really looking forward to her settling in more to that routine of just being able to relax in the classroom,” Ms Nelson said.

As the students return from school holidays next week, Bonnie is set to be showered in extra cuddles and pats as she gets back to work as not only a pawfect wellbeing dog, but also as an award-winning pooch.