Pampered Tie a winning pup

Virginia Innia-Barlow with CH Black Tie Affair of Cheraton winner of Eukanuba 2016 Premium Dog of the Year and Puppy of the Year. Photo/Supashots

Virginia Innia-Barlow is the first to admit her pooch is pampered and spoilt.

When the Bay News visited the cute Lowchen was sprawled out on the bed and refusing to get off "unless I play his stupid game with him".

"He is a funny dog really and quite human."

The formally named CH Black Tie Affair of Cheraton recently nabbed the prized 2016 Eukanuba Premium Dog of the Year and Puppy of the Year - and is not afraid of the limelight, Virginia says.

In fact he is making a big name for himself in the show ring, despite being involved in a car crash last year.

"I thought that would put him off as he was afraid of loud noises for a while but he loves the crowd and the cheers. I wouldn't subject him to that if he wasn't enjoying it."

Affectionately known as Tie at home, Virginia says at the moment he is sitting about sixth in New Zealand for an adult show dog and has clinched numerous championship titles since he hit the ring in 2015.

"I started showing him when he was three months old and I used to show his grandmother. I've probably been showing for about 15 years and used to have Labradors and Japanese Spitz."

Tie is "very high maintenance" but definitely worth the effort.

"Every day I have to wash his face and put on organic corn starch then do a top knot to keep the hair from his face and hairbands on his moustache. He drinks from a sipper bottle too, which stops his face from getting wet and stained."

"Without fail I groom him every day and we do shows most weekends."

The show scene is highly competitive but fun, she says.

"I would really like to try and get him up to supreme champion because it would be a first in New Zealand for his breed. It is highly competitive and particularly bitchy but you can also make some good lifetime friends."

"There is quite a few people that look like their dog and I hope I look like him."