Sky Movies and The Kennel Club announced today [Thursday 18 October 2007] that they are to honour legendary dogs of the silver screen with the world’s first permanent ‘Dog Walk Of Fame’, in Battersea Park, London.

The first six dogs to be inaugurated into the Dog Walk of Fame will be selected by the British public from a shortlist which has been created by both film and dog experts. Each dog will be commemorated with its own permanent plaque in the park, and the inaugural year will be commemorated by a special season of dog-themed films on Sky Movies on the 10th & 11th November.

The 15-dog shortlist spans 70 years of movie-making, from Toto (Wizard of Oz), and Lassie, to Bullseye (Oliver Twist), Gromit (Wallace & Gromit) and Chance & Shadow (Homeward Bound).

The panel of judges included Ian Lewis, Director of Sky Movies, Sarah Wright, Editor of Your Dog (Britain’s best-selling dog magazine), James Christopher, Film Critic from The Times and Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary.

Caroline Kisko said, “Dogs play a very important role in our lives, through their companionship, unconditional love and rewarding relationship they give to us. It is fantastic to see that this is felt the world over through the recognition given by the film industry, and the number of these films that are box office hits prove how much love the public have for dogs in general. To also immortalize these dogs within Battersea Park, a place intrinsically linked to dogs itself, is very important to the Kennel Club and promotes the importance of dogs within our lives.”

Director of Sky Movies, Ian Lewis said; “Dogs have a unique place in Movie History. Humans have had a Walk of Fame for over 50 years, yet some of the best-loved movie characters are canines, from Lassie to Gromit. So, we felt dogs were overdue their own Walk of Fame, as well as a season of dog-themed movies on Sky Movies Family, to highlight just how important and varied their history in film has been.”

To vote and have your say log on to www.thekennelclub.org.uk or www.skymovies.com

The results will be announced on November 5th in Battersea Park and on display at the Discover Dogs event on the 10 and 11 November, Earls Court 2, London.

Also tune into Sky Movies Family over the weekend of 10th & 11th November, as Sky Movies Family go canine crazy showing back-to-back doggie films including Lassie and The Shaggy Dog to celebrate Discover Dogs event. Transmission details below.