Hairy Maclary look-a-like finalists named

The finalists in the Hairy Maclary look-a-like competition have been named.

The search was on for several weeks for four-legged look alikes of the wily but lovable Hairy Maclary and his famous gang of canine friends.

There were six entry categories for dog lovers: Hairy Maclary (from Donaldson's Dairy), Hercules Morse (as big as a horse), Muffin McLay (like a bundle of hay), Bottomley Potts (all covered in spots), Bitzer Maloney (all skinny and boney) and Schnitzel von Krumm (with a very low tum).

"The contest is a wonderful way to engage the whole community with the Hairy Maclary and Friends Tauranga Waterfront Sculpture Project, to raise public awareness and encourage fundraising support for this national treasure," said Creative Tauranga CEO, Tracey Rudduck-Gudsell.

"Because of the huge response for the Hairy Maclary category (over 35 entries and nearly 1,000 votes) eight dogs are going through to the final judging event to be held on 2 December", said Philippa Buckley from Creative Tauranga.

The Great Hairy Maclary Look Alike Contest 'Dog's Breakfast' Final Judging Event:

Where: Tauranga Vets, 424 Cameron Road

When: Sunday 2 December

Time: 10.30am - 12.30pm

Final judging and prize giving from 1130am

Hairy Maclary story reading from midday

The event is free to public - come along and meet Hairy Maclary and his four-legged friends, sausage sizzle, fun activities and giveaways (for kids and pets!), Hairy Maclary book readings from midday.

Dame Lynley Dodd will be a guest judge on the expert judging panel.

Finalists are:

DOGS

Hairy Mclary:

Molly     Maxine Collins  

Zac         Emma Kapua  

Argie     Shontaye Lowry

Gizmo   Gay Read-Smith       

Harry     Lynn McKay      

Mistie   Keith & Kath Gorringe 

Alfie       Felicity McGrath                       

Griffin   Anne-Marie McIlwraith

Muffin Mclay:

Lucky     Jack Russell

Jazz        Delwyn Weatherly

Schnitzel Von Krum

Toby      Shirley Mundt  

Taege    Michelle Reithmuth

Bottomly Potts

Jake       Steve Carr        

Kassi      Steve Carr         

Neva     Grant Mitchell  

Tosca     Hazel Dickinson

Hercules Morse

Guss      Luke Price          

Lazarus Lloyd Woodroofe

Bitzer Maloney

Chase    Triggs   

Flick       Sian Manning

CATS

Blue       Dawn Ingall  -  Scarface Claw

Slinky Malinky   Jack Jansen - Slinky Malinki

Latte      Peter Shaphard  - Mushroom Magee