Cutest dog in NSW: All the local winners revealed
You crowned the cutest dog in your local area, now it’s time to reveal the top dog in NSW.
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It was a fierce race, and perhaps one of the toughest competitions in recent history, but the results are in and you have crowned the cutest dogs in your communities - and NSW's top dog.
But which four-legged friend has be crowned NSW’s top dog? From the Riverina to Northern Rivers and all over Greater Sydney, you fell in love with dogs big and small from across NSW and chose some very worthy winners. But NSW's cutest dog, as voted by you is The Hunter Region's famous pooch, Koda.
Koda is an adventurous dog who flew from north Queensland to live with her family in Kearsley, a village in the city of Cessnock in the NSW Hunter Region.
Now five years old, Koda took out top spot as The Hunter’s cutest dog, before taking out the cutest dog in NSW.
Hr owner Joey said she is friendly, kind-natured, and very smart and friendly with a “quirky personality”, which is part of why she earned her nickname Goofball.
“She loves to act like she smoking cigars with a stick in her month, which is why we called her goofball,” Joey said.
Koda loves going for drives in the car, camping, rounding up the family’s horses and playing with her toys – and showing off tricks.
“She loves the basketball, she chases it round and round and she throws it up and spins it on her nose,” Joey said.
“She gives high-fives and high-10s. She loves riding on her quad bike. And she loves swimming!
“She is one very loveable dog. Everyone that has met her loves her – they love Koda just like they love chocolate!”
SEE ALL THE OTHER WINNERS FROM LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS NSW
Blacktown’s cutest: Gilbert
Blacktown Advocate readers fell in love with Gilbert, the two-year-old toy cavoodle.
Gilbert lives with his pawrent Jade and her Grams, and is the only canine in among his cat siblings Eden Moon, Jaxon and Freya.
Jade shared a little bit about Gilberts’s sweet personality, saying he has lots of love to give to his family and the world – which the Blacktown community seems to give right back to him.
“Gilbert is the light of everyone’s life, he makes strangers smile wherever he goes and they actually say that he has just made their day,” she said.
“Gilbert’s favourite things are being with his mum, going for walks and drives, playing, giving kisses and cuddles, belly rubs and sleeping in – he’s not a morning puppy.”
Canberra’s cutest: Arlo
Arlo the Border Collie from the Canberra suburb of Taylor was the runaway favourite for the capital territory’s cutest canine.
Owner Monique Swan is thrilled her 16-month-old pup won the approval of Canberrans.
“That little face brings so much happiness and joy to anyone who meets him, so I’m of course not surprised in the selections,” she said.
Ms Swan said she and Arlo have been “inseparable best friends” since she brought Arlo from Oberon to Canberra as a pup and he slept in her arms the whole way home.
“Arlo is the perfect mix of the most loving dog, yet also crazy and carefree,” she said.
“He loves ‘helping’ with chores and day-to-day tasks and will get involved in whatever you’re doing.
“Arlo has the biggest personality and isn’t afraid to ‘tell’ you what he’s thinking. I wouldn’t change him for the world!”
Central Coast’s cutest: Sonny
Sonny ‘Peanut butter’ Rumble was born on November 29, 2022, and lives with his owners Lisa and Scott Rumble at East Gosford on The Central Coast.
He has three brothers – Nate, Jack and Luke – “who adore him and match his energy”.
Sonny’s mum is a corgi-poodle cross and his dad was a white pure poodle making him a “corgipoo”.
“He enjoys the beach, long walks every day and of course treats!” Mrs Rumble said.
“Sonny already has quite the following on TikTok if you would like to see more of him follow @sonnythedawg.”
Clarence Valley’s cutest: Teddy
At only 13 weeks old, Teddy may be the youngest entrant in the statewide cutest dog polls – so perhaps it’s no surprise that he won Clarence Valley readers’ votes.
The Australian Cobberdog lives in the coastal town of Yamba, north east of Grafton, with his owner Bianca Walters and her family
“We are a neurodivergent family, so we got Teddy to help our young kids with their emotional regulation and high anxieties,” Ms Walters said.
“Teddy has the most beautiful, calming temperament. He is truly a special, one of a kind dog.”
Coffs Coast’s cutest: Arlo
Coffs Coast Advocate readers crowned Arlo the almost-four-year-old Malamute Cross from Coffs Harbour the cutest in their region.
The Smith family’s dog is a big fan of walks and outdoor adventures – especially the beach or for a camping trip – and he loves to play with his cousin Buddy the Groodle.
His family says Arlo also loves to hit the water to go skiing.
But, they said, he’s also a “massive sook, and he loves a big cuddle and being snuggled up to family”.
But his soft temperament does not mean Arlo is not a little rascal at times. Once, the Smiths said, he jumped on the kitchen bench and “ate a handful of freshly cooked brownies.
“He didn’t get sick but he went absolutely ballistic! He was like a kid that had a sugar high.”
Dubbo’s cutest: Freddy
Dubbo voted the very handsome pup Freddy has the region’s cutest, an achievement that has “thrilled” his owner Georgia Kennedy.
“All the dogs were very cute and deserving. Freddy can’t believe he won!” Ms Kennedy said.
But, she insists, her boy is much more than his looks, telling The Dubbo News “Freddy has such a personality”.
“He loves to lick, he’s a bit crazy and is so full of life.
“He’s a bit cheeky at times by stealing socks and whatever he can find but is very cute so he gets away with it.”
Eastern Suburbs’ cutest: Bonnie
Bonnie the French Bulldog won over readers in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, beating 19 other dogs to be crowned the cutest.
But her family say her cuteness is just one of the many sides to their beloved pooch.
“Bonnie makes people happy. She has such a funny personality and just loves everyone,” they said.
“She brings me constant entertainment, joy and so much love. And her zoomies are hilarious.”
They say Bonnie is very cheeky and playful, she is known to jump on the outdoor furniture “like a big rabbit” and “won’t walk past the beach without a swim”.
And, as an only child, she knows how to play up her cuteness and milk her family’s attention for all that it’s worth.
“She sits like a meerkat constantly. She taught herself and realised very quickly that she gained a huge amount of attention (and treats). It’s now her signature pose,” they said.
Most of all, though, she’s “a sweet baby Bon that loves nothing more than a quiet cuddle”.
Hornsby’s cutest dog: Gavi
Gavi is one of the oldest dogs to be voted the cutest in their region, with the 10-year-old Papillon-Shitzu-cross- winning the most votes of Hornsby Advocate readers.
The tiny, loveable fellow from Mount Kurin-gai in North Sydney came found his forever home with the Pryor family when he was three.
“He was a rescue dog who needed a double knee reconstruction,” owner Michael said.
“Gavi gets lots of extra special care to make his life manageable as his mobility isn’t the greatest.”
Mr Pryor said the senior boy “loves” belly rubs and being surrounded by people – so it’s a good thing that he lives with a family of seven, so he can “make the rounds for attention”.
Inner West’s cutest: Cooper and Freddie
In a possibly controversial move, the Inner West readers picked brothers Cooper and Freddie as their cutest representatives.
Cooper the four-year-old American Staffy-Puggle-cross joined his family at 11-weeks-old and has grown into a very “laid back” pup who loves the outdoors.
“He loves the beach, playing catch with this on particular tennis ball and keeping dad company in the gold cart while he’s on the golf course,” his owner, Monica, said.
“Cooper loves massages and will come right up to you, place his face on your lap and stare you down with his deep brown eyes. You can’t resist but to give him cuddles.”
Freddie, on the other hand, is a 16-month-old King Charles Cavalier and is the polar opposite of Cooper.
“Freddie is the typical annoying little brother who follows Cooper everywhere and wants to be around him all the time,” Monica said.
“Actually he follows mum around everywhere as well, he can’t leave her side for one moment.”
She said, unlike his brother, Freddie hates the car and is hesitant around water; but he does look forward to play dates with his friends and “just loves a rumble”.
“Both our dogs are very playful, boisterous and shows us so much love and affection,” Monica said.
“They have brought so much joy into our lives and we couldn’t have it any other way. We are so ecstatic that the readers were kind enough to put in the time and to vote for our boys.”
Lismore’s cutest: Marlie
Marlie the one-year-old cavoodle was born at Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast and had an accident when she was just a few days old that meant part of her tail had to be cut off.
Although the pup quickly recovered, she has earned the nickname ‘Stumpy’ for her little tail that wags a million times an hour, her owner Megan Durheim says.
“She was extremely hard not to fall in love with,” Ms Durheim said
“Marlie doesn’t just sleep in the bed, she takes over the whole bed … she can often be found going through the bin.”
And readers of The Northern Star also fell in love with Marlie, crowning her the cutest dog in Lismore.
Ms Durheim said there was “nothing better” than coming home to Marlie – who tends to get so excited she wets herself – and having her follow them around the house like a “little shadow”.
Macarthur’s cutest: Koda
Readers of the Macarthur Chronicle were won over by the Jeffs family dog, five-year-old Koda.
The American Staffy-Black Mouth Curr-cross was rescued from the pound after she was found on a construction site as a puppy, and lives a very happy life in Narellan in southwest Sydney.
Her mum Liz says her favourite thing about Koda is her pure happiness and “loveable nature” and “the way she puts her paw on our legs to get attention”.
“She’s always ready for a zoomie followed by a snuggle on the lounge after,” she said.
Koda’s favourite thing to do is spend time lounging on the furniture – whether it’s “sunbake” on the outdoor lounge, or sit with her family “like a human” on the couch inside.
Her family are grateful Koda had the chance to win the cutest dog after she nearly died from a paralysis tick while on the South Coast. But she made a full recover and is back to being the “loveable, happy dog she’s always been.”
Mid-North Coast’s (tied) cutest: Luna and Willow
Mid-North Coast readers were torn between two dogs: Luna the smiling pound puppy, and Willow the Mini Dachshund from Taree.
It was love at first sight for Luna’s owner Liz Bridger, who picked up the shy white pup from the pound in a package deal with her sister Fudge.
“We played with Fudge for some time [at the shelter], and decided we would take Fudge,” Ms Bridger said.
“Then out of the corner of the shed hiding behind the barrels was a white dog, with the biggest over bite I’ve ever seen, but oh so cute!”
She said the dogs came home to their acreage and “ran free and happy” with their chickens.
“Luna loves playing in the dam or under the hose, Luna barks and wags her tail as soon as she hears water,” Ms Bridger said.
“Luna is a much-loved part of our family.”
Willow the sausage dog’s owner Emma Martin cried when she learned her little pup – the “love of [her] life” – won Mid-North Coast readers’ tick of approval.
“Willow gives me so much love on a daily basis and never leaves my side … she is everywhere!” Ms Martin said.
“The poor hubby will never get me alone ever again!”
Ms Martin said the pair share a “crazy” connection, and can almost predict what the other is thinking.
“If I had to pick a dog in a different life it would no doubt be Willow and I would pick her over and over again.”
“A big thank you to everyone who voted for Willow, I am over the moon!”
North Shore’s cutest: Juni
Juni the Cockalier is the cutest dog on Sydney’s North Shore.
His owner Marcela Gonzalez said the “lovely and affectionate” pup joined the family as a surprise for her daughter’s 10th birthday.
“Since then, Juni and Lucia have been inseparable companions,” Ms Gonzalez said.
“Lucia is over the moon that he won!”
Although the win was a welcome, Ms Gonzalez knew the two-year-old pup had a “good chance” of winning, given the compliments he draws wherever he goes.
And, she said, he makes an excellent work buddy.
“Juni has been a great company when working from home, as soon as I prepared my morning coffee he will run to my office and spend the day with me,” she said.
“But it’s the connection between Juni and Lucia that truly shines. He has enriched our lives in ways we never imagined.”
Northern Beaches’ cutest: Lilo
On Sydney’s northern beaches, a beautiful purebred Australian kelpie named Lilo received the most votes from Manly Dailysubscribers.
With her classic kelpie dark brown and tan colouring and stunning green eyes, the five-month-old pooch, from Cromer, has already made a massive impact on the life of her owner Lauren Bayliss.
Lauren and her boyfriend Lachie picked up Lilo from a breeder at Richmond, in Sydney’s northwest.
“She is only five-months-old but already loves camping, going to the beach for walkies and meeting new dogs and people,” Lauren said.
“We love her crazy kelpie nature, her ‘zoomies’ (caused by a build-up of excess energy which is released in one short burst), but most importantly her love for adventure and cuddle time.”
Northern Rivers’ cutest: Bobby
Bob, the two-year-old pure breed Australian Red Kelpie from Alstonville, has been nominated the cutest pup of the Northern Rivers.
Owner Caleigh Hansen said he was given to her as a gift and his favourite treat is a huge cow shin bone from the butchers.
“Bob is an amazing dog to have as he is such a gentle giant,” she said.
“He absolutely loves playing with children and having a ball thrown to him down at the beach.
“Bob’s personality constantly makes us laugh, like the way … he chucks a tantrum and hides under our bed if he doesn’t get his way.”
Ms Hansen said he loves sneaking up into the bed for a cheeky cuddle at night.
“Bob is such an amazing pup to have as he knows how to make us feel better if we’ve had a tough day at work or if we are feeling down,” she said.
“We love him to bits.”
Bob also enjoys playing with his best friend Inka, a kelpie/golden retriever cross.
“When these two are together they have an unbreakable bond, they fight like brother and sister and love playing a game where they constantly steal the ball from each other,” she said.
“When they are at the beach they love competing for the ball and you’ll normally find them swimming way out past the waves.”
Parramatta’s (tied) cutest: Coco and Rusty
Rusty and Coco won over Parramatta Advertiser readers in equal measure, with votes split on the pair.
Clients at Parramatta hair salon Bodhi Boutique will be familiar with Rusty, a guide dog who also happens to be a special guest, along with his mate Reef.
Wentworthville two-and-a-half-year-old toy cavoodle Coco has also melted the hearts of voters, just as she did when the Sammut family took her into their lives during the pandemic.
“I think it’s because we were all home quite a bit and thought it would be nice to have a dog and she’s become part of the family,’’ Manuela Sammut said.
”She’s very feisty, she loves belly rubs and she loves humans probably more so than other dogs.’’
When Mrs Sammut, her husband, 19-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter are not home to entertain their adorable pet, she revels in her own company.
”She loves toys and to sit at the window and watch the world go by,’’ Mrs Sammut said.
Penrith’s (tied) cutest: Charlee and Oreo
Penrith Press readers were split between Oreo the pink-nosed pooch from Jordan Springs and Charlee the energetic pup from Ropes Crossing.
Oreo, the 15-week-old Australian shepherd-cross-poodle – known as an Aussiedoodle – is a cheeky, playful pup who loves belly rubs and stealing socks from the laundry.
Owner Jennifer Peken says Oreo is outgoing, friendly and loves being around other dogs and people and never wants to miss out on any fun.
Fellow winner Charlee, a six-month-old Kelpie is her family’s “little pocket rocket”.
Her owner Joanne Bradley said the ball of brown furry energy “loves people and really enjoys a good run at the dog park”.
South Coast’s cutest: Pearl
Pearl has been a rock for her owner Corinne since she was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in October last year.
“They say dogs know when their owners are unwell, and I must say that Pearl knew I needed her by my side from day one,” Corinne said.
She said it was a “lovely surprise” that her golden labrador was voted the cutest pup in the South Coast – and South Coast News readers had no idea about the dog’s heartwarming back story.
Corinne said Pearl has made an excellent lapdog and comfort when she is at home recovering from cancer treatment, and an enthusiastic exercise buddy with her chocolate labrador sister Coco.
“I must admit I’ve never known the loyalty and love a dog could bring until these past few months, which have strengthened my bond with our pup who still squeals with delight whenever we open the back door to greet her and Coco,” she added.
“Winning the cutest dog on the South Coast seems such a special award for our girl who has well and truly become a much loved and devoted family member!”
South Sydney’s cutest: Alfie
Alfie has been a “faithful companion” to his owner Lauren Campbell for almost four years.
The three-and-a-half-year-old Cavoodle from Cronulla won over the readers in south Sydney to win the cutest dog title.
But Ms Campbell said his “playful nature, boundless affection and unwavering loyalty” bring her joy every day.
“Whether he’s chasing after his beloved green ball or nuzzling up for cuddles, Alfie’s presence fills my heart with warmth and contentment,” she said.
“Coming home to his wagging tail and eager eyes is the highlight of my day.
“He isn’t just a pet; he’s a cherished member of my family, a constant source of comfort and solace. Here’s to Alfie, my faithful friend, whose love has touched my soul in the best way possible.”
Southwest Sydney’s cutest: Ronny
Ronny was the pick of the litter for readers in southwest Sydney – as he always has been for his family in Wattle Grove.
The three-year-old Cocker Spaniel-King Charles Cavalier-cross – then named Champ – was adopted from Claws and Paws rescue in the Central Coast almost a year ago.
His owner Sarina almost missed out on bringing the gorgeous guy home with them, because another family adopted him first.
But when she got a call to tell her days later to say “Champ” had been returned to the Shelter, Sarina jumped in the car and drove to the Central Coast to bring Ronny home.
“He is a gorgeous boy who loves cuddles, treats swimming and long walks,” she said.
The Hills’ cutest: Cora
It was a fierce competition to declare the Hills Shire’s cutest dog, but 15-month-old pup Cora came out on top.
Owner Joe De Masi says he was “definitely surprised” that Cora won, but said his girl is feeling “very humbled” by the win given the “fierce competition” in the region.
“Cora is the light of my life, she has been my comfort when I need it, my best friend, an ear for when I need to talk about something and a fantastic cuddle buddy,” Mr De Masi said.
“She’s smart and she knows what she wants. She has a very distinct personality and a mind of her own, which makes her very unique.”
He said Cora has him and his family “wrapped around her paw”.
He said Cora brings his family “so much happiness” and though she knows how to be the boss, “I wouldn’t change her for the world”.
Wagga Wagga’s cutest: Sabre
Sabre the six-month-old wheaten Border Collie has captured the hearts of readers down in the NSW Riverina region.
His owner Jessie Lewis said she was surprised Sabre won given the “good competition” for Wagga News readers’ attention.
“We are pretty stoked with the win and plan on treating Sabre with a new toy,” Ms Lewis said.
She said she spotted the young pup on Gumtree and “couldn’t pass up the opportunity” to bring him home – and she quickly found out he was more than a pretty face.
“We call him Silly Sabre because he is well and truly silly! He is clumsy, goofy and always up for a kiss and hug,” Ms Lewis said.
“He is obsessed with water (once he’s in, you can’t get him out), other dogs and people.
“Not only is he all of that but he is incredibly intelligent, where he learnt to use talking buttons at just 10-weeks-old to inform us he wanted food, walk, play or to go outside!”
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