There is a new top dog in town. Alfie, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council's Jack Russell, is the winner of New Zealand's Top Office Dog competition.

Alfie is known to be an ace barker on command, a swift fetcher of balls, and plays a convincing ‘dead' when ordered. He is also obsessed with brooms.

Alfie the council dog wagged his way to first place in New Zealand's Top Office Dog.

He beat 63 other canines to win the top prize with his winning entry.

Alfie came to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council as a stray last year and the staff took him under their wing.

A spokesperson for Alfie says the Council raised money to fix his broken leg and he was eventually adopted by their animal trainer Betty Hall.

Betty is the council's animal service officer, and described by her colleagues as a dog whisperer. Alfie now lives on Betty's farm by night, and accompanies her to work at the council by day.

Alfie's colleagues believe the pooch's entertaining personality and calming canine presence is a wonderful break from some of the harder work they do.

Jane Kennelly, founder of Frog Recruitment and organiser of the annual competition, says there are benefits to bringing a dog to work.

'It's well documented that dogs in the workplace are good for wellbeing and motivation,” says Jane.

'The Top Office Dog competition is a way to celebrate the work of Alfie and our canine friends that come to work and make it a better place to be.”

Alfie has won a studio ‘Dography' photo session with Mish O'Neill, Animates vouchers, Revolution dog flea treatment courtesy of Zoetis, Karen Walker dog accessory, Mr Soft Top voucher, Doggles and the coveted NZ Top Office Dog trophy.