Russia's Vladimir Putin shows his puppy love

Vladimir Putin is attempting to show a different side to his character in a series of pictures released on Wednesday.

The Russian president is often photographed in heroic poses, taking part in high octane sports or wielding high tech weaponry.

The latest pictures, thought to have been taken near his residence on the outskirts of Moscow in March, show him playing with his dogs Yume, an Akito-Inu, and Buffy, a Bulgarian Shepherd.