Nearly 150 dogs entered Peekaboo's 2026 Cutest Family Dog Contest, and only one could take home the crown.

We did a full story on the winner, Gracie, here.

But we couldn't let the rest of this year's finalists go uncelebrated.

Here are nine more Northwest Arkansas dogs, and the families who love them, who made this year's contest nearly impossible to judge.

Coach is goofy, loves to nap when the humans are away, and chases all reflections and shadows. The minute we come home, we are greeted by a wagging tail and a toy in his mouth. He's always bringing us toys to throw for him or standing by the back door waiting for us to toss the ball outside. He LOVES people and may even tinkle when he greets you because he's so excited.

His favorite nap spot is on the couch, tucked between the back of the couch and the cushion. He also loves to sleep on his back with his feet in the air like he just doesn't care. His favorite lazy habit is chewing on his stuffy until he falls asleep.

Coach is a silly dude! He always has to be touching one of us. If we are laying in bed, he will sit on our legs. If we are watching TV in the living room, he will back up his booty until he's touching our feet.

Coach is not a morning person, so after we get up, he usually finds his favorite nap spot and takes a snooze while we drink our coffee. Some days he goes to work at Soho Clothiers with Mom as the shop dog or spends the day playing with his buddies at Hounds Lounge in Rogers. If we mention we're leaving, he's the first one at the door, ready to go!

Coach is the most fun, loyal, and sweetest dog! He is the best companion for our son, Knox. They wrestle like brothers and play chase until they are both exhausted. He's our walking partner, protector, cuddle buddy, and the cutest addition to our family. We are so glad he's ours!

Kimber is the perfect mix of chaos and cuddles. She is wild, energetic, and always looking for a new adventure. She loves to splash in the lake, hike a new trail, and is ready to explore anywhere her four paws can take her. Kimber believes every day should be an adventure.

Kimber does have a favorite accessory: a tire. She is completely toy-obsessed and rarely goes anywhere without her emotional support tire.

Life at home with Kimber can be a little interesting. If she doesn't have a toy in her mouth, she is usually taking on her sworn enemy, the vacuum cleaner. The moment the vacuum comes out, it is game on.

Beneath all of her energy is the sweetest heart. Kimber is incredibly loyal and affectionate to the people she loves. After a day out exploring, she is always happy to curl up at home and soak up all the cuddles she can.

Kimber is more than a dog to me. She is my constant companion. Over the past six years, she has been my emotional support, my adventure buddy, and has been there through all the ups and downs. Her goofy personality and unconditional love make every day a little brighter. Life with Kimber is never quiet or boring, but it is always full of love, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

About a year after losing our beloved dog, Ava, our family was finally ready to open our hearts again. We weren't sure exactly when we'd know it was the right time, but then we met Winnie, our mini Bernedoodle. The moment we saw the familiar white markings on her chest — the same markings Ava had — we knew it was meant to be.

We surprised the kids with Winnie just before Christmas, and it was equal parts magical and chaotic. Our daughter, 7, was in pure shock. It's a rare moment that she's speechless but this surprise did just that. Our son, 4, thought he was going to open his eyes to a box of donuts, but we have since recovered.

At seven months old, Winnie has already become such a special part of our home. She barrels through the house with endless energy, steals socks with professional-level skill, and manages to make everyone laugh daily.

She's also the definition of a Velcro dog. If someone sits down, Winnie is immediately attached to them. She's always ready for a cuddle and convinced that personal space is a terrible idea. Whether she's squeezed between us on the couch or following us from room to room, she makes sure no one in this family is ever alone.

While no dog could ever replace Ava, Winnie has helped fill our home with joy, laughter, and love.

Bones may seem stoic, quiet, and observant from the outside, but once you get to know him, you discover just how goofy he really is. He loves frisbee, ball, tug, adventures, and spending time with his best friend, Karma.

What makes him unique, aside from his striking eyes, is his complete devotion to his family. From the moment he came home, he seemed made to be a service dog. My last service dog retired at 10, so starting over with a service dog in training has been both fun and challenging. It's been incredible watching Bones learn, grow, and mature into such a wonderful dog.

One of my favorite memories was entering a costume contest on the Bentonville Square and winning! I dressed him as Okami from the video game. It was one of the first times I really got to show him off, and having him there helped ease my anxiety.

As a recovering agoraphobe, Bones has changed my life. He gets me out into the world, encourages new adventures, and makes it easy to connect with people. He's also an incredible family dog who loves my other pets, my husband, and especially my daughter. While people are first drawn to his looks, it's his personality that wins them over.

Beneath his calm exterior is a goofy puppy who loves butt scratches and getting the zoomies in the river.

Remi's story is incredibly meaningful to our family because it brings together so many things that matter to us: honoring Shadow's memory, supporting rescue dogs, and giving back through blood donation.

When our boxer, Shadow, became critically ill and needed blood transfusions, a donor dog gave us the gift of three additional months with him. That experience left a lasting impact on us and inspired us to find a way to give back. Seeing Remi become a blood donor and help save other dogs feels like a beautiful full-circle moment and a meaningful way to honor Shadow's legacy.

Remi's story is also important because she challenges common misconceptions about pit bulls and rescue dogs. Pit bull-type dogs are often misunderstood, but Remi shows what we have always believed — they can be loving, gentle, loyal, and wonderful companions when given the care, training, and support they deserve.

As a rescue dog, Remi is proof that an animal's past does not define its future. She went from being a stray, spending months in a shelter, and facing euthanasia to becoming a beloved family member and lifesaving blood donor. Her journey reminds us that rescue dogs are not damaged or less deserving because they have faced hardship.

Remi's story is a powerful reminder that every dog deserves a chance. She is making a difference in the lives of other dogs and their families, just as another donor dog once made a difference in ours, all because of the people who believed in her.

Meet Zia (pronounced "Z-eye-a"), our 7-year-old English Cream Golden Retriever and unofficial third child.

If something is happening, Zia is involved. Whether we're in the backyard, taking a walk, or simply moving from room to room, she somehow finds her way right into the middle of it. Her favorite place is wherever her family happens to be, and we rarely need a leash because she never wants to be far from us.

To our boys, she isn't just a dog, she's another sibling. They love spraying the water hose while Zia jumps and chases the stream, and they're always amazed by how well she plays hide-and-seek. Whenever we leave the house, it's common for one of them to ask, "Can Zia come too?"

Zia has a goofy side, too. She proudly collects socks like treasures and once managed to fit nine of them in her mouth at once. We even tried teaching her to weave through our legs while walking, but she preferred stopping for attention and pets instead.

What makes Zia truly special is how deeply she loves her people. She follows us everywhere, joins every family moment, and always seems to know exactly where she belongs. When we arrive at family gatherings, one of the first questions we hear is, "Where's Zia?" She brings joy, laughter, comfort, and unconditional love to our home every day, and that's why she'll always be the best family dog.

When the 2020 lockdown happened, we had already been looking for our family pet for about a year. We knew we wanted to rescue and saw many shelter dogs, but hadn't found the fit for our family.

I scoured local rescue's Facebook pages and saw a posting of this little black dog who looked so frightened. There was something about her spirit that came through that photo, I knew we had to meet her. Upon meeting, she was excited, exuberant, and very bouncy. She immediately took to my kids, jumped up on their laps, gave kisses, played with them and wasn't skiddish at all. We quickly agreed to adoption.

Six years later, we still feel so incredibly blessed every day that we were the family that was able to adopt her. She's the best dog and has so much love to give. She's excited about every person she meets.

She's very bouncy and also does a funny, little army crawl when excited, dragging her back legs behind her. She doesn't fetch toys, but requires us to throw a treat for her to fetch. When she's not being pampered by our family, her self-imposed job of keeping our backyard free of squirrels is taken very seriously. After a quick chase, she enjoys a small nap in the sun to recharge until the next squirrel antagonizes her.

Over the years we've made up songs about her, given her many nicknames, and created a tagline: First she's lazy, then she's crazy, that's our Mazie! She has brought loyalty, calmness, laughter, and love to our family and our kid's lives as they've grown up. She's 14 pounds of pure love. To say we have been richly blessed by her is an understatement.

Minnie may be small, but she has made an enormous impact on our family. We adopted her just before Christmas through HavaHeart Rescue, a foster-based rescue organization in Springfield, Missouri. Minnie was one of five puppies rescued alongside her mama, affectionately named Maria. Once safe in foster care, the litter became known as the "Sound of Music Girls," a fitting tribute to their sweet mama and the second chance they had all been given.

From the moment Minnie came home, she acted like she had always belonged. She is equal parts playful, curious, fearless, and loving. Whether she's racing through the house with a toy twice her size, keeping a watchful eye on her brothers, or snuggling up beside us after a busy day, Minnie brings joy wherever she goes.

One of our favorite parts of Minnie's story is that one of her sisters, Benny, also found her forever home here in Northwest Arkansas. It has been such a gift to watch the girls grow up together and see pieces of their shared puppyhood continue through their adventures and reunions.

Minnie keeps us laughing daily. She can turn an ordinary sock into buried treasure, bravely defend the family from suspicious leaves, and somehow make every person she meets feel like her best friend. But beyond the laughs, Minnie has taught our children about compassion, responsibility, and the power of giving second chances.

Rescue dogs hold a special place in our hearts because every one of them has a story. Minnie's began with a rescue, a foster family, and a mama named Maria who helped bring five beautiful puppies into the world. Today, her story continues as a beloved member of our family. We thought we were giving Minnie her forever home. The truth is, she rescued us right back.

Nala is loved by everyone because of her sweet, gentle personality. She's friendly, calm, and always happy to be around people. Whether she's giving a wag of her hot pink tail or curling up beside someone, she has a way of making everyone feel better.

Students get so excited when they see Nala at school. You can hear them calling her name, and their faces light up when they get a chance to pet her or spend time with her. She brings smiles wherever she goes — I like to say she's the Taylor Swift of Thomas Jefferson Leadership Academy. During the summer, Nala loses the therapy dog title and breaks rules like counter surfing or eating frosted mini wheats!

Some of the sweetest moments have been watching teachers and students who are having a tough day relax as they sit with Nala. She's patient and seems to know just when someone needs a little extra comfort. When she gets a pet, Nala melts like butter in a pan.

As a therapy dog, Nala brings comfort and calm to students and staff. She helps ease worries and makes school feel a little brighter. Nala means so much to our family and our school community. She's more than a therapy dog, she's part of the family, and she has touched so many hearts with the love and joy she shares every day.