Check out the real life raggedy rascal's gang!
To help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Lynley Dodd's iconic first Hairy Maclary book, we ran a lookalike competition in a search to find Hairy Maclary and his doggy friends!
We had such a fantastic turn out (over 1600 entries!) it was truly tricky to choose our winners. The Penguin Random House team narrowed the entries to a top group, and then Dame Lynley Dodd herself picked our winners!
It's the one and only Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy!
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy is a small dog of mixed pedigree. He and his gang of canine friends love to trot through their town looking for trouble. Hairy is always bumptious and bustly, but a confrontation with Scarface Claw will send him straight back home to bed. Our Hairy Maclary Winner is Lexi from Wellington!
(*yes we know Lexi is not a mixed breed like Hairy, who is definitely part terrier, but look at that face!)
Bitzer Maloney all skinny and bony!
Bitzer Maloney is the only other member of Hairy Maclary‘s gang that, like Hairy Maclary, is of mixed-breed parentage. With his large bright eyes, long legs, finely boned thin frame and snaky tail, he is definitely part greyhound. Our Bitzer Maloney winner is Juno from Christchurch!
Bottomley Potts covered in spots!
Bottomley Potts is the Dalmatian whose name is just a little rude! He sports a smart white coat with well-defined black spots. He is a strong, active and intelligent dog and loves being out and about. Our Bottomley Potts winner is Molly from Cambridge!
Hercules Morse as big as a horse!
Hercules Morse is an Old English Mastiff and, 'As big as a horse' just about says it all. Hercules is mostly a sleepy gentle giant. He is loyal to his friends and kind and gentle. Our Hercules Morse winner is Butters from Auckland!
Muffin McLay like a bundle of hay!
Muffin McLay is a faithful and popular member of Hairy Maclary's gang. An Old English Sheepdog, Muffin McLay looks just like 'a bundle of hay'. As with other members of his breed, his huge head and rather short, stocky body is completely covered in a profuse woolly coat. Our Muffin McLay winner is Rocket from Oamaru!
Schnitzel von Krumm with a very low tum!
Schnitzel von Krumm is the star of several of his own adventures as well as appearing in Hairy Maclary's. A red standard smooth-haired Dachshund, Schnitzel's legs are the shortest in the gang. Our Schnitzel von Krumm winner is Cooper from Kaiapoi!
Download everything you need to throw your own frolicking Hairy Maclary birthday party!
Take this fun quiz to find out which classic picture book you belong in.
Do you often hear that your dog is an exact match for Hairy Maclary or Muffin McLay?
Filled with adventure, inspiration and humour, these books are sure to take little readers and their imaginations to new and fantastic places!
Out of the gate and off for a walk went Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy...
Dame Lynley Dodd’s lovable animal friends have some harbourside real estate.
Hairy Maclary and his friends are known and loved all over the world. But how familiar are you with Dame Lynley Dodd's other creations? There are plenty to discover, and just like Hairy Maclary, they all feature Lynely's uniquely exuberant artwork and gorgeously readable rhymes! Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Ever wanted to know a bit more about Slinky Malinki's friends?
Dame Lynley Dodd on what comes first, the stories or the illustrations, where her ideas come from and more!
Parents: Click here for 10 minutes of peace. (You're welcome).
You can even download everything you need to throw your own frolicking Hairy Maclary birthday party!