Cute pup! The lighting is difficult in this and while the bright side is slightly too bright, its a bit too dark on the shadow side, while you couldn't do it for the challenge, some selective adjustments would balance the lighting some. I like the comp.
this is cute but IMHO doesn't have enough of the rule shown in it to really apply
ie.-the subject is more fill frame even tho it is the nose which u want to grab the focus i think the entire expression is the focus and so the rule is to far lost to be....well as i look harder its ok, i think maybe in future just to clear it up even more use a larger apiture so as to take the dogs face more out of focus and that would support the rule better.
remember its really the placement of your subject not just the placement of the focus...otherwise like i said it is a really cute image. GL
HEE HEE - even without the best lighting, I gotta love his clear snout and right eye and mouth. The clarity of the sand/mud is good. This gets an extra point just cause it's a cute puppy. ;~)