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Britain's Got Talent's Top Dogs! Dancing pooch Pudsey and his owner Ashleigh give their verdicts on the best canine to have appeared before judges

Published: 16:00 EST, 25 April 2015 | Updated: 07:40 EST, 26 April 2015

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They've had boy bands, girl groups, crooners, a contortionist and even a funky chicken. But when it comes to the new series of Britain’s Got Talent, this is the year of the dog. Simon Cowell’s hit ITV show is barely into its third week but this series has already seen four canine acts competing to win the hearts and minds of the British public, with yet more promised in future episodes.

In last night’s show, hosts Ant and Dec were briefly put into a trance by Princess, the mesmerising hypno-dog from Leeds who even appeared to cast a spell over hard-hearted Cowell.

This year’s talent contest, which hunts out acts to perform in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance, has also featured Wendy, a fluffy, French, talking pooch, and Max, a nippy little terrier who took an instant dislike to presenter Ant McPartlin.

Top dog: They've had boy bands, girl groups, crooners, a contortionist and even a funky chicken. But when it comes to the new series of Britain’s Got Talent, this is the year of the dog. Pictured: Pudsey with the judges

Woof: Britain's Got Talent 2012 winners Ashleigh and her dog Pudsey gave their verdicts on this year's canine entrants

But in the canine pecking order, there can only be one top dog. And while judges Cowell, Amanda Holden, David Walliams and Alesha Dixon have no choice but to take the ruff with the smooth, there is surely just one opinion that really matters – Pudsey’s.

Along with his glamorous owner, Ashleigh, the Bichon Frise cross was crowned top dog on Britain’s Got Talent in 2012 after dancing his way into the nation’s hearts.

Since then he has achieved global fame, starring in his own Hollywood movie and even publishing an ‘autobi-dog-raphy’.

Now, The Mail on Sunday has persuaded the pirouetting pooch to take time out from his punishing grooming schedule to give his verdict on the best – and the utterly barking – of the BGT doggie acts so far.

Our canine correspondent has even worked his magic to secure an exclusive preview of two pooch entertainers that will not be seen until future episodes.

Here, Ashleigh and Pudsey – who we’ve jokingly imagined in the line-up of judges – give their verdicts. Will it be a woof from them, or a bit of a growl…?

Asbo terrier

All bark and no bite: Max the siz-year-old terrier cause mayhem when he dashed off stage to yap at Ant McPartlin

Ashleigh: Max, the six-year-old terrier from the first show, was supposed to sing along to his owner David playing the mouth organ – but unfortunately decided to terrorise poor Ant McPartlin instead, dashing off stage to yap and nip at his heels.

Thankfully, Ant seemed to find the funny side, but if this had been a larger dog with bigger teeth, it may not have been so amusing.

Pudsey's Verdict: Max's bark was worse than his bite. You must never break the ‘fourth wall’ no matter how tempting the trouser leg. What a very paw show...

Golden paw rating: Really ruff

Dancing dog

Man's best friend: Jules O’Dwyer and her Border Collie, Matisse, clearly have a strong bond

Ashleigh: The first dancing dog of the series is still to air but I’ve had a preview. Jules O’Dwyer and her Border Collie, Matisse, are Crufts champs and my favourite act.

Their ‘dog catcher’ routine is highly skilled with lots of tricks. They clearly have a strong bond; let’s hope they make it through.

Pudsey's Verdict: He hops, he moonwalks, he lets himself in and out of cages – Matisse is a true artiste. A Fred Astaire to my Ginger. Matty if you’re reading, call my agent, pal.

Golden paw rating: Top dog

Hypno hound

Princess, the four-year-old German Spitz from Leeds, appeared to send volunteers from the audience, and Ant and Dec, to sleep

Mystic mutt: She then worked her magic on Simon appearing to turn him from Mr Nasty to Mr Agreeable

Ashleigh: Wow! This is something we haven’t seen before... a hypnotist dog!

Last night, Princess, the four-year-old German Spitz from Leeds, appeared to send volunteers from the audience, and Ant and Dec, to sleep after they looked into her beady black eyes.

She then worked her magic on Simon appearing to turn him from Mr Nasty to Mr Agreeable. Was it for real? It was certainly entertaining.

Pudsey's Verdict: They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but Princess had me under her spell immediately. Just a style tip darling: Ditch the black.

The Mystic Meg look is so rover.

Golden paw rating: A bit barking

Balloon botherer

Cally the Jack Russell attempts to break the world record for doggy balloon popping – currently 90 balloons in a minute

Ashleigh: In this unique act hitting screens in the coming weeks, Cally the Jack Russell attempts to break the world record for doggy balloon popping – currently 90 balloons in a minute.

Most dogs wouldn’t go near another balloon once they’d popped one, but ten-year-old Cally seems to thrive on the excitement.

If they do get through to the semi-finals they would need something different, though.

Pudsey's Verdict: Can Cally keep Simon’s attention with her balloon caper week after week? This might turn out to be an over-inflated act, full of hot air.

Golden paw rating: A bit barking

That 'talking' dog

Wendy the Coton de Tulear appeared to talk and meow, but was actually wearing a false mouth which was operated remotely by owner Marc Metral

Ashleigh: Simon said he had waited nine years for a dog that could talk or meow - he got both in the first show with Wendy the Coton de Tulear.

It turned out that the five-year-old was wearing a false mouth which her owner, Marc Metral, operated remotely.

There was talk about whether that was cruel but, when Pudsey and I were on the show his welfare was taken in to account at all times and I’m sure it was the same for Wendy.

Pudsey's Verdict: I thought that dog who said ‘sausages’ on That’s Life! back in 1979 was good. But I’ve gone all hot under the collar just thinking about Wendy’s amazing talent. It was a million per cent woof from me.

Golden paw rating: Top dog

The on m'nut mutt

Not up to scratch: Yolo obviously thought very highly of herself, but it was four ‘nos’ from the judges

Ashleigh: Yolo was supposed to headbutt footballs into a net during her act on the first show but failed dismally. She didn’t do much else apart from looking cute.

When Simon asked if they would win, two-and-a-half-year-old Yolo barked straight back at him. She obviously thought very highly of herself, but it was four ‘nos’ from the judges.

Pudsey's Verdict: Cute may cut it in Hollywood but the Royal Variety Show is another matter. When you’re shaking a tail in front of Her Majesty you’ve got to be more than just a pretty snout. She wants to see tricks not a load of balls.

Golden paw rating: Really ruff