Where’s Wilfred? Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds chose Dilyn for Christmas card

Where’s Wilfred? Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds chose snap of their dog Dilyn rather than new son to front No10 Christmas card… despite previous PMs sharing family photos on cover

  • Seen outside No 10, the Jack Russell cross is pictured donning green tinsel
  • Twitter wags joked that the dog ‘he must share the same hair stylist’ as Boris
  • Predecessors liked David Cameron and Tony Blair showed children on cards 

Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds have broken with tradition for his official Number 10 Christmas card this year, which rather than humans – such as their baby son, Wilfred – stars the rescue dog Dilyn. 

Poised outside Number 10, the sandy coloured Jack Russell cross is pictured donning green tinsel around his neck as he gazes into the distance.

Twitter wags couldn’t resist noting one comparison to his owner, with several joking that they ‘must share the same hair stylist’. 

Mr Johnson’s choice contrasts to many of his predecessors, including Tony Blair and David Cameron, put themselves and their [human] loved ones in the spotlight. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has chosen his beloved Jack Russell cross, Dilyn, to star on the front of his Christmas card which he has jointly sent out with his fiancee, Carrie Symonds

Many of Mr Johnson's predecessors, including Tony Blair and David Cameron, put themselves and their (human) loved ones in the spotlight

Many of Mr Johnson’s predecessors, including Tony Blair and David Cameron, put themselves and their (human) loved ones in the spotlight

Twitter wags couldn't resist noting one comparison to his owner, with several joking that they must share the same hair stylist

Twitter wags couldn’t resist noting one comparison to his owner, with several joking that they must share the same hair stylist

‘Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,’ reads the message inside the card, signed by Boris and his partner, Carrie, the mother of his seven-month-old son, Wilfred.

Social media users poked fun at the card, with one writing ‘bit of a snub to Larry’, in reference to the Number 10 cat brought in by Mr Cameron. 

Dilyn has undergone a remarkable turnaround in fate since Mr Johnson and his fiancée Carrie Symonds, an animal rights campaigner, rescued him last year. 

He was discarded as a puppy from a breeder in South Wales and was due to be put down until the couple adopted him from Friends of Animals Wales (FOAW) rescue centre. 

They had hoped to promote Lucy’s Law – a crackdown on puppy farms by taking in the mutt, who has a misaligned jaw.

2008 - David and Samantha Cameron's Christmas card, showing their children Nancy, Arthur and Ivan, who tragically died

2008 – David and Samantha Cameron’s Christmas card, showing their children Nancy, Arthur and Ivan, who tragically died 

1998 - Tony and Cherie Blair's card, including their children Euan (left), 14, Nicky (right), 13, and Kathryn (front), 10

1998 – Tony and Cherie Blair’s card, including their children Euan (left), 14, Nicky (right), 13, and Kathryn (front), 10

2006 - Gordon Brown's Christmas Card designed by Axel Schleffer, best known for his illustrations of The Gruffalo

2018 - Theresa May's card, which was drawn by nine-year-old Dexter Van Elkan who attends a school in her Maidenhead and Twyford constituency

2006 – Gordon Brown’s Christmas Card designed by Axel Schleffer, best known for his illustrations of The Gruffalo (left). 2018 – Theresa May’s card, (right) which was drawn by nine-year-old Dexter Van Elkan who attends a school in her Maidenhead and Twyford constituency

After moving into Downing Street last September, a spokesman for the prime minister said: ‘The PM has always been a passionate supporter of animal welfare and believes in giving animals the best start in life.’

Dilyn, now two, is not new to the limelight having previously been pictured in Ms Symonds arms on the Prime Minster’s family holiday to the Scottish Highlands in August.

The adorable dog even helped Ms Symonds earn the ‘person of the year’ award from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. 

The animal rights group cited Dilyn as evidence that the 32-year-old was setting a personal example as a ‘fearless force for good’ for animal welfare.   

2016 - Mrs May released several different cards in 2016, including this one illustrated by Sophie Brazil

2016 – Mrs May released several different cards in 2016, including this one illustrated by Sophie Brazil 

Carrie and Boris together with Wilfred during a Zoom call in July with midwives who helped deliver their son

Carrie and Boris together with Wilfred during a Zoom call in July with midwives who helped deliver their son  

Mr Johnson and Ms Symonds with the No10 dog Dilyn in the gardens of Downing Street

Mr Johnson and Ms Symonds with the No10 dog Dilyn in the gardens of Downing Street