On National Dog Day, August 26, the craft brewery Dogfish Head hosted its inaugural dog lookalike contest in Brooklyn, New York. The event drew a crowd of enthusiastic owners and their canine companions, all vying to demonstrate which pair shared the most striking resemblance, whether through physical appearance, personality traits, or synchronized fashion choices. The competition featured a special celebrity guest, Outkast's Big Boi, who served as the judge for the festivities.
The competition was fierce, with participants going to great lengths to impress the panel. Taking third place were Suki Kwon and her dog, Kumo. The pair arrived wearing matching black sunglasses and coordinated black-and-white striped shirts. According to Kwon, the resemblance is simply a natural fact because she is the pup's mother, noting that Kumo particularly enjoys wearing his own pair of sunglasses.
Second place went to Alanna Duncan and her dog, Willow, who impressed judges with a creative and highly realistic costume. Duncan, who recently tore her ACL, arrived on stage using crutches, accompanied by Willow, who was also outfitted with a set of makeshift crutches. Duncan noted that while Willow's knees are perfectly healthy, the dog shares her human-like love for a good Sunday nap. She added that they both share a stubborn streak and a love for running fast, at least prior to her injury.
The first-place prize was awarded to Rosa McGee, who captured the judges' attention with an uncanny likeness to her dog. The duo wore matching sleeveless jean jackets, and McGee joked that they shared more than just style, citing mutual distress around loud noises and mild anxiety as common personality traits. "I'm biased. I think she's got the same DNA, she's got the same body type, we look alike," McGee told the crowd.
McGee, who discovered the event just days prior, successfully assembled their matching look using items from the internet and a thrift store. Her victory earned her a significant prize package, including a year's supply of Dogfish Head beers and cocktails, a year of Dog Bark treats from Waggies by Maggie & Friends, and a dog-friendly getaway to the Dogfish Inn. Despite the prizes, McGee remarked that the true reward was simply the opportunity to be surrounded by dogs and fellow enthusiasts.
