First Place: Dora
Owners: Josh and Michelle Beliveau | Town of residence: Warrenton
From former vigilant drug detection dog to life loving retiree, Dora embodies plenty of admirable qualities that make her Warrenton’s Cutest Pet of 2025. To owners Josh and Michelle Beliveau, Dora is not only an integral part of the family, but of the community as well. Born in Slovakia and trained in nearby Front Royal, Dora was paired with customs officer Michelle at age two and served as her loyal partner for five years. At home, Dora, a 14-year-old Belgian Malinois, lives with her much tinier best friend, Oliver, an Australian Cattle Dog mutt. Together they take on each day with some light wrestling and the occasional but well-deserved, retiree nap. For many, old favorites never die, like the fairly indestructible Goughnut toy that she received as a reward for discovering contraband during her working days. With her elevated palate, she prefers to snack on fresh produce like crunchy cucumbers or apples over a traditional dog treat. A beach lover during her career in California, Dora has found new outdoor activities for her life in Virginia. When the weather warms up and the Warrenton Farmers market rolls around, Dora and her owners frequent the booths, never failing to stop by the micro greens booth to visit owner Tim and receive a handful of some leafy spinach micro greens for the road. Her love for friends, new and old, doesn’t stop there, as she also attends First Fridays and shares an ice cream with the same little girl whenever their paths cross. When not out and about, Dora takes retirement to the next level, hanging out at home, napping, and gnawing on toys. After a nice meal at home she loves to go outside, walk up a small hill, and slide down it on her back—now that’s one way to travel! It turns out that hard work runs in the family too; in recent years, Dora’s brother was found through some doggy DNA testing which led to a brother-sister meetup. Always remembering her roots, Dora and her owners participate in outreach events for the organization Paws of Honor, which supports retired working dogs by covering their routine and emergency medical care. Hard work pays off in the long run and Dora continues living life to the fullest in her retirement.
Second Place: Inka
Owner: Silvia Fuechsel | Town of residence: Warrenton
Traveling long and far, Inka journeyed from a Poland puppy mill to the United States with her owner Silvia. She is a roughly eight-year-old Miniature Pincher Terrier mix who takes full advantage of being an only dog at home. Inka found owner Silvia when she was located in Germany, adopting her from a shelter near the Polish border. Drawn in by her funky “one up, one down” set of ears, Silvia simply couldn’t say no to such a timid, sweet puppy. Seven years later, their bond is stronger, and Inka’s confidence has reached new heights. She spends her time as the office mascot at Dok Klaus Computer Care, trying to fill her belly with snacks. Despite a full bowl of kibble at all times, Inka finds her way around the office looking for anyone willing to “accidentally” drop something tasty. If unsuccessful, she returns back to the always-there kibble and acceptingly munches away. Known for being well-behaved, Inka still knows how to get what she wants with her high emotional intelligence and cheeky personality. With her high-brow taste, Inka delights in a salmon or tuna treat and will never say no to anything that contains gluten. She enjoys her close proximity to Main Street, taking frequent walks up and down it in an unending search for treats. She stops at any shop with a counter to ask for a treat, always putting on a little dance in return. It’s clear that she’s a dog with a goal and will leave no person unsniffed for a snack.
Third place: Cash
Owners: Jeremy & Korinna Stritzinger | Town of residence: Warrenton
Rescue animals often have the most unique personalities, with four-year-old Shar Pei, Pitt, and Catahoula mutt, Cash being no exception. Owners Jeremy and Korinna Stritzinger found him at a rescue in the Northern Virginia area as a seven-month-old puppy and instantly fell in love. He’s known for his goofy, comedic demeanor that always makes his owners laugh. There’s certainly some classic Shar Pei stubbornness mixed in as well, making his personality all the more entertaining. On top of all that, he’s great with kids! He takes advantage of his only dog status, claiming the front window couch, affectionately deemed “Cash’s couch” by his owners, regularly flopping upside down without a care in the world. Bully sticks are top of the list for best treats, with close favorites being blueberries, cucumbers, and pickles. However, a crunchy stick of celery will never make it on that list (or near Cash for that matter)! An outdoor dog at heart, he loves to hike, play chase, and recently discovered a newfound love for snow. He’s a social butterfly, spending time with canine pals Snoopy, Foxy, Bowie, Maui, Hank, Hopper, Scout, and Merlin around the neighborhood. Cash absolutely adores his favorite dog walker, Connie Chung of Zorger’s dog walking, and spends plenty of quality time hanging out with her.
