The PEOPLE's World's Cutest Rescue Dog Contest Presented by the PEDIGREE® Brand is back for 2025.

In July, the contest, in its eighth year, launched a search for an adorable rescue dog to follow in the pawsteps of past winners like Hobie, the one-eyed terrier mix, and Margot, the stunning pit bull mix, who took the top prize in 2024. On Oct. 8, CBS Mornings announced the winner of the 2025 competition: Bastian, the 7-year-old rat terrier mix.

Thousands of dog lovers voted for the canine finalists they thought deserved the "cutest" crown, and celebrity judges Kristin Davis, Shawn Johnson East, and the hosts of CBS Mornings chose which dog from the top three received the grand prize.

The support helped Bastian clinch the title and grand prize, beating over thousands of other dogs.

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