Westport wags want to know: Who will be next Top Dog?

Westport Animal Shelter Advocates has announced the five dogs chosen as finalists in the 2013 Westport Top Dog contest.

The winning canine will be revealed at a ceremony set for 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the main lobby of Westport Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave. First Selectman Gordon Joseloff will present ribbons to the five finalists.

The finalists are:

Cheerio: A 12 ½-year-old Golden Retriever owned by Holly Jaffe

Uli: A 12-year-old English Staffordshire Bull Terrier owned by Brian and Moira Lynch

Malcolm: A 12-year-old West Highland Terrier owned by Kathie and Scott Bennewitz

Kim: A 10-year-old Yellow Lab owned by Richard and Michelle Pactor

Bosco: A 7-year-old Golden Retriever owned by Alex and Janet Paluch

The judging, which took place on Feb. 26 at Town Hall, evaluated 50 Top Dog entries on the essay advocating a dog's selection for the Top Dog honor, as well as photos and "that indescribable Top Dog quality," according to a news release.

The judges included Joseloff, Westport Town Clerk Patricia Strauss and Kathleen Suchy, an animal control assistant.

Each entry included a $10 donation, which will help WASA in its mission to help homeless dogs in Fairfield County, the release states.

As in the previous three years of the contest, the winning dog's photo will be displayed in the WASA's Hall of Fame in Town Hall.

For information, email wasa1@optonline.net.