The two-year-old dog won best dressed at Howlong’s Mutts in May yesterday, wearing a builder’s shirt, hard hat and a belt of tools.

His owner Craig Vincent, who is in the midst of renovating his Howlong house, said Cooper had come down on his lunch break.

“We’ve got him off the site for the day, but we’ll have him back working in the afternoon,” he said.

About 300 people attended the Howlong Golf Club event, which tied in with the town’s monthly market.

Darren Grono, also of Howlong, said he brought his two Dogue de Bordeaux dogs, Gypsy and Doza, along to help them socialise.

“They’re just reliable, whenever you want them, they’re there,” he said.

“It’s unconditional love really.”

Organiser Karie Lowe said she was happy the sun came out after some morning rain.

“I thought we were going to have to call it soggy doggies,” she said.

“We’re very happy with the turn out.”