Dogs on the cat-walk

Published: 16 May 2022

Last Updated: 17 May 2022

Four top dog models strutted their stuff on the cat-walk on live television this morning ahead of announcement of Napier’s Next Dog Model.

Runners-up Stan, Molly and Ralph were taken out by the winner - skate-boarding wonder-pooch Murphy - a rescued Schnauzer. The winner was announced on TVNZ Breakfast this morning from the Soundshell in Napier

Councillor Sally Crown said the competition to find the model dog to promote Napier’s annual dog registrations was an excellent way to show how important dogs are to Napier households.

“Dogs are a very important part of their family, and Napier is the perfect place to have a dog with plenty of beautiful spaces to walk them,” said Councillor Crown, who appeared on the show with her dog Joanna Lumley, alongside fellow-councillor Ronda Chrystal with her shitzu/maltese/poodle cross Maggie.

“It was a tight race, especially between Ralph the Collie and Murphy the Schnauzer but right at the last minute Murphy took it out,” explained Councillor Chrystal.

Murphy is an SPCA success story. He was rescued from a puppy mill and now lives happily with his family. Those who worked with him on the photoshoot say he was a joy to photograph, well behaved and with an extensive range of tricks. Voting on the six finalists was done through social media. Two of the finalists were unavailable for the live broadcast with pound rescue Basil being confirmed as a Covid-19 household contact late last night.

Murphy will now represent the dogs of Napier in the upcoming campaign to make sure people register their dogs by July 1st. Napier City Council is also consulting on proposed changes to the Dog Bylaw. Feedback on that is open until 25 May.

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