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In Brendan's absence, thanks to setter Brendan for a gentle but enjoyable Prize this week.
Doesn't take long to notice that the puzzle is heavily themed, to an extent that Brendan's explored at least once before in Prizes.
Very much on the less challenging side, but sufficient tricky and clever constructions to earn a thumbs-up.
FOI 5, quite a few write-ins and low-hanging fruit.
LOI 2.

COD 23 due to misdirection; the reflex (at least to Statesiders) answer goes nowhere , but I managed to figure it out after initial frustration.
Also liked 10, 16, 17, 25, 4 and 24.

[Added] 8 is a fine clue I overlooked, close to COD quality.

Good fun I thought, agree with Geeker on difficulty. Liked 8d though I noted it’s hyphenated in Chambers. I also went the wrong way on 23a. I did wonder if it’s fair to expect people to know one aspect of 13a.
10a my COD I think.

As a cat person, I'm surprised to have finished this!

I breezed through this up to my last two (though I too had the wrong beagle to start with!)
Hints please on 24a and 19d? I can see a family member in the latter, but no parse.

[24 Scholar's book returned by editor - was barking mad or whined perhaps (6)
E???E?
19 Lots of people arriving home upset member of dog family (6)
I?F???]

Hi Chris,
All your crossers are correct.
24a parses 4,2 with the 4 reversed and the usual 2 letter editor. The last part of the clue is the definition which I had to check but I think it’s ok
19d parses 2,4 with the 4 reversed and the usual 2 letter home.

19: defn. "lots of people arising", parses as 2, 4.
24: defn. "was barking mad or whined perhaps", parses as 4, 2.

Thanks both - finished. I should have got 19, but the definition for 24 is rather loose!

Looking at the Chambers definition of 19 there’s nothing to suggest “lots” or “people” specifically, so this is really definition by example I think

Agreed on loose defn. for 24, but at least I found it a welcome relief from the hackneyed crossword reference to bad actor(s). :-)