You’ve Found NZ’s Next Tux Dog!

MEDIA RELEASE 13 JUNE 2011

You’ve Found NZ’s Next Tux Dog!

New Zealanders have spoken, and chosen their newest animal celebrity – NZ’s Next TUX Dog – and the winner is:
Amazon, from Ohakune!

The Huntaway was entered by 11-year-old Toby Proude, who has had Amazon (otherwise known as “Amo” or Momo”) since she was a 6-week-old pup. She was the runt of the litter – and the pick of the litter! And amazingly, today is her birthday – she is turning two.

His mum Sarah says Toby has always had a love of animals and the farming lifestyle and that he and Amazon are best mates with a special bond. Sarah helps Toby with the day-to-day training of Amo and they do the mustering on their small farm.

Toby is very keen to continue breaking in Amazon and wants to enter the local dog trials at some stage. He has also been attempting to make Amazon a retriever for his duck shooting!

Amazon is a happy, bubbly, friendly dog who is “always smiling and wagging her tail” but is also clever and quick to learn. Clearly the New Zealand public agree that she has the right TUX attitude!

“I’m really really happy,” Toby says. “All my friends have been really hoping she would win.”

Since March 20, owners of enthusiastic canines have been sending in entries and photos for their chance to follow the pawprints of the previous “fit as a fiddle, sharp as a knife” dogs from the iconic advertisements.

Ten dogs were chosen as the Top Ten Finalists from well over 700 entries. As well as Amazon, they included a Border Collie, a Yorkshire Terrier, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a Collie cross, an NZ Heading Dog, a Bearded Collie, a Jack Russell, a Boxer, and a Golden Retriever; and from as far-flung locations as Auckland right down to Western Southland.

Last month the judges, including top animal trainer Mark Vette, toured the length of New Zealand, visiting and auditioning each dog at its home. The public then watched the short audition videos, and just over 4,200 votes were cast at www.tux.co.nz for the finalist they thought should be NZ’s Next TUX Dog.

The judges are really pleased with the results of the voting. “Amazon really impressed us the day we visited, showing some seasoned work skills, some obedience and even jumped into the icy pond to retrieve anything thrown in,” Mark Vette says.

“Amazon’s a prize example of a working dog, but she loves both work and play and she and Toby are the true ‘boy and his dog’. Her vigilance and enthusiasm will make her a star in the new ad.”

Amazon will star in the new 2011 TUX TVC, to be filmed later in the year, and enter the hearts (and lounges) of Kiwis as part of one of New Zealand’s most iconic television campaigns.

www.tux.co.nz
ENDS

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