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Uggie
Jack Russell terrier Uggie, from The Artist, gives a reporter a kiss at the Golden Collar Awards in Los Angeles Reuters

The canine star of silent film The Artist took the top prize at the inaugural Golden Collar Awards.

The Los Angeles ceremony celebrated the best performances by dogs in television and film.

The top prize at the ceremony was won by Uggie, the Jack Russell terrier from the film The Artist, which is sweeping the board at award ceremonies.

Owner-trainer Von Muller accepted the award, describing Uggie as a "great performer, but also a great family member".

The awards are the brainchild of Alan Siskind, of the website dognewsdaily.com.

Other winners included Hercules, pit bull star of dog rescue show Pit Boss, which drew with Giggy, the Pomeranian from Real Housewives of Beverley Hills, for best dog in a reality television series.

James Cromwell, who played the farmer in Babe, attended the awards. He said: "I'm delighted to be here because I owe my career to a pig."

Los Angeles