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Curious canines and patient pups - it's dogs at polling stations

George BurkeBBC News
News imageFinnbarr Webster / Getty Images A terrier-looking dog stands outside a railing with a sign on saying 'gorsaf bleidleisio, polling station, at the City Hall in St Davids, Wales.Finnbarr Webster / Getty Images
This intrigued dog in St Davids, Wales seemed more interested in the photographer than the politics of the day

With elections being held in Wales, Scotland and large parts of England, many voters are not just exercising their democratic rights but their dogs as well.

The tradition of taking pictures of pets at polling stations continues to grow - and if you are heading out to vote today there is a high chance you will see a pooch or two parked patiently outside your polling place.

Whether you're a Lurcher lover, a Corgi connoisseur or a Eurasia enthusiast, here are some of the stand out canine-centric photos from the day's voting.

News imageJane Barlow / PA Media A white dog bows its head while on a lead by a sign with two arrows saying 'vote' and 'pray' in Inverleith, Edinburgh.Jane Barlow / PA Media
Rory the dog appeared to choose the voting booth over the prayer booth when faced with an existential decision in Inverleith, Edinburgh
News imageNeil Hall / EPA A large black and white dog with blue eyes, looking like a husky, stands looking directly at the camera with its ears perked, in front of two smaller brown, fluffy dogs, all on leads held by a person in a white shirt in front of a church door with a sign reading 'polling station'.Neil Hall / EPA
This pensive-looking dog seemed to pose solemnly outside a polling station in London, while the other two looked to be uninterested
News imageIan Forsyth / Getty Images A dog's face is shown in profile with their tongue hanging to the side in front of a sign reading 'polling station', they are on a black lead and have black and white fur.Ian Forsyth / Getty Images
This dog in Hartlepool could have been lolling at their excitement for the biggest round of elections in the UK in two years, or for other reasons - the BBC was unable to independently verify which
News imageMark Naftalin / AFP via Getty Images A white and brown spotted dog looks to the left of frame while being led by a bright red lead outside a sign reading 'gorsaf bleidleisio polling station' on the wall of the exterior of the library, with another voter behind.Mark Naftalin / AFP via Getty Images
A serious-looking spotted dog pictured walking with its owner outside a polling station at Caernarfon Library in north-west Wales
News imagePeter Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images A white and brown dog are walked by a person wearing a coat with long hair past two signs saying 'polling station' outside the temple against a cloudy grey sky.Peter Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images
A pair of pooches looked somewhat nonchalant while walking past a polling place set up at the Shree Ghanapathy Temple in Wimbledon
News imageAndrew Milligan / PA Media The terrier has black and white fur and sits next to a sign lying on the ground saying 'polling place way in' while a man walks into the station with a cane in hand.Andrew Milligan / PA Media
Lotte the wire fox terrier looks pensive outside Pollokshields Burgh Hall, Glasgow while waiting for her owner
News imageNick Forbes / PA Media A fox-like light brown dog sits next to its owner by a pink sign saying 'polling place' on a street in Edinburgh, with other voters in the backgorund.Nick Forbes / PA Media
Obi-Wan Kenobi is pictured sitting steadfastly with their owner outside the St James Church polling station in Edinburgh
News imageOwen Humphreys / PA Media A person in a pink striped top and blue jeans walks with dog on lead, the dog with white and light brown fur, next to a polling station sign outside the church.Owen Humphreys / PA Media
A voter and their dog leave the polling station at St Mary's Church Hall in Whitley Bay, Tyneside
News imageOwen Humphreys / PA Media A black and white dog on a green lead walks alongside a person wearing blue and white bobble hat and black coat as they leave the church polling station.Owen Humphreys / PA Media
Another voter-dog-combo leave St Mary's Church Hall
News imageCarlos Jasso / AFP via Getty Images A small brown dog walks towards the camera next to a sign reading 'polling station' in front of a church in Lewes.Carlos Jasso / AFP via Getty Images
Another dog who seemed friendly towards the photographer waits for their owner in Lewes, East Sussex
News imageAndrew Milligan / PA Media A dark furred dog with a muzzle on and its tongue out looks directly at the camera while standing next to a sign reading 'polling place way in' tied to a tree.Andrew Milligan / PA Media
One voter's furry friend keeps a watchful eye as people arrive to cast their votes in the Holyrood elections, outside Pollokshields Burgh Hall in Glasgow