A pop-up art gallery for dogs opens in Shoreditch with portraits at canine eye-level

A pop-up gallery for dogs is opening today, February 7, with pictures displayed at canine eye-level.

The National Paw-trait Gallery at the Protein Gallery in Shoreditch features photographs of well-known dogs such as Laika, the Moscow stray launched into Earth orbit in Sputnik 2 in 1957.

There will also be portraits of Lassie — the fictional collie who appeared in books and films — and Petra, the first Blue Peter dog. A number of the Queen’s corgis are depicted at the gallery, which is free and open until 5pm on Saturday. It marks the launch of a competition by Facebook Watch, the video-on-demand service, to find the “World’s Most Amazing Dog”.

UK Facebook users can submit an audition video of their pet before 20 February to be in the running for a $100,000 (£77,000) prize. After a vote for the top 10 dogs, two judges — comedian George Lopez and reality star Lisa Vanderpump — will decide the winner.

For every submission in the UK, Facebook will donate $1 to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.