One of Tauranga’s hardest working hounds are one paw closer to glory after making it into the finals of the 2024 Frog Recruitment NZ Top Dog competition.

With three coveted titles up for grabs – New Zealand’s Top Dog with a Job, New Zealand’s People’s Choice and New Zealand’s Top Office Dog.

There’s a category for every pooch, from the four-legged office friends who boost morale and wellbeing, to the clever canines making their mark as therapy dogs, pest detectors, teacher aides and sheep herders.

Nearly 400 dogs nationwide were nominated for this year’s contest, a fitting tribute to the indispensable role they play in our communities and workplaces.

Tauranga White Swiss Shepherd, Indy, is a leading contender for Top Dog with a Job according to owner Alison Stubbington.

A much-loved part of the team at Icepack Kennels, Indy takes her job as being a canine genetic discoverer for her breed seriously — with herself and her litter making veterinary research history by the discovery of cerebellum hypoplasia Alison explained.

“Apart from being a world class DNA warrior, Indy enjoys going for runs in the forest with her friends and sleeping by the fire at night!”

The efforts of Indy and hundreds of Kiwi dogs just like her underpin the Frog Recruitment NZ Top Dog competition, which is now in its ninth year, and has become a firm calendar highlight among doggie devotees nationwide.

“This competition was established to celebrate man’s best friend, and acknowledge the extraordinary impact they have on people’s lives, and the positive contribution they make to society,” says Frog Recruitment Managing Director Shannon Barlow.

“The huge popularity of this annual event highlights the immense value we place on our four legged friends.”

While the types of dogs, and the jobs they do, expands every year, Shannon says one thing never changes: “All our pooches share one common attribute – they make life better.”

NZ’s Top Dog competition is organised by Frog Recruitment in partnership with sponsors Simparica Trio and JetPark Hotels, and this year raises money for NZ mental health and dog-related charities.

The competition will be judged by JetPark Hotel, Frog Recruitment and K9 Medical Detection NZ CEO Pauline Blomfield, with category winners taking home a Top Dog trophy and a slew of prizes.

Winners will be announced live on Frog Recruitment’s Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and YouTube channel on Thursday, 29 August 2024 at NZT 12:30 pm.

There’s still time to have your say. Find out more about the finalists and cast your People’s Choice Award vote before NZT 09:00 am on 29 August at https://www.frogrecruitment.co.nz/nztopdog