Pepper, - Australia's cutest pooch - scoops sweet reward!

A six month-old Rottweiler called Pepper has rewarded her owners with more than just puppy love this August. The pooch has claimed top spot as Australia's cutest dog, an honour which comes with a very sweet reward - a year's supply of Wendys ice cream.

Owner Bethany Gillies entered Pepper into the competition, a national search for Australia's cutest dog, launched by Wendys to celebrate the return of the famous Shake'n'Dog promotion, but the 18-year-old never thought her pooch would win.

"It was really exciting to hear Pepper had been voted the cutest dog on Wendys Facebook page - there were hundreds of other dogs entered." Bethany said.

"The prize is amazing; I get to choose a delicious Wendys ice cream flavour each month for the next year. Chocolate is my favourite so my first choice was Triple Choc Chunk."

Bethany has two brothers and a sister who are just as excited about the Wendys prize, although it's unlikely they'll get the chance to pick their favourite flavours any time soon.

"Maybe they can pick one or two flavours when I get tired of choosing," Bethany joked. "But for the next few months it will be hard to go past anything with chocolate in it!"

Bethany works at the Midland Gate Shopping Centre, so she'll get to know the staff at her local Wendys pretty well, as this will be where she collects her prize each month for the next year.

Wendys Midland Gate owner Marie Whale can't wait to meet Bethany and her family.

"A year's supply of Wendys ice cream is a pretty special prize." she said. "We have so many delicious flavours to choose from and, luckily for Bethany, our chocolate ice creams are some of our best."