Jack Russells, shnauzers, German shepherds, retrievers and an array of labradoodles, cockapoos and bichon frises turned out for the Maccabi GB Community Dog Walk.

Some 75 dogs and their accompanying owners descended on Mill Hill Park in north London last weekend for the annual fundraising event, now in its third year in its current format.

Among them was Pickle, my Yorkshire terrier and Billy, the elegant blond, long-haired rescue lurcher that my daughter Daliah walks twice a week.

The dogs were led on designated routes around the park, with the silver dome of Mill Hill Planetarium and the bell tower of the former monastery at St Joseph's providing the backdrop in the distance.

But unexpectedly high temperatures meant that most of the dogs - and their owners - were soon puffed out and could only manage about two laps of the park.

However, there was plenty more to keep the dogs and their proud owners entertained, including a host of titles to compete for. These included the race to find the "waggiest" tail, the fastest to sit, the best dog and owner lookalikes - for which some owners went as far as having a dog's face painted on their own - the prettiest female and the most handsome male.

Tvet Marc Abrahams helped judge the contests, alongside staff from the Wood Street Veterinary Hospital in Barnet.

Also on hand to keep the peace was Russian trainer Dima Yeremenko, who is often dubbed the dog whisperer and whose career is based on the belief that old dogs can most definitely learn new tricks.

Mr Yeremenko, a star of Britain's Got Talent and That Dog can Dance, brought along a pack of rescue dogs to perform.

"It's magic," he joyfully repeated, as the animals jumped over each other and onto his back.

All this hungry work was rewarded with the doggy bags provided by the organisers filled with treats, a 10-point health check from the veterinary hospital, and a complimentary brush and spray for any dogs in need of a makeover.

Valerie Parnes, event co-ordinator at Maccabi GB, said that it was not only the pets who were benefiting from the day out.

"We aim to use it to bring Jewish people together in an active event. Everyone enjoys walking their dogs and this gives them a reason to do so out of their own homes. But it helps them stay healthy and keep active."

She added: "Obviously, the whole occasion is a bit of fun - although there are some owners who made every effort to have their prize pets groomed and trained for the competitions. But hopefully the whole community can see that we put on activities such as this to get Jewish people, of all ages and observances, off their couches."

As a proud Jewish mother, I could not help but feel disappointed that my terrier Pickle failed to turn any heads in the prettiest girl competition. Yet Daliah and I took pride in Billy's success, as he walked off with a blue rosette for second place in the handsomest male competition.

But the star of the day was Lola, a black cockapoo owned by Lauren Lazard, who walked off with both the best in show and cutest female prizes.