Photo: Supplied / Noah Wilkins
For nearly three decades beagles have been sniffing luggage at airports and sea ports nationwide, and a group of Auckland owners think the scent hounds are so special they're part of a club.
Auckland Beagle Club has been running for 40 years and every six weeks they gather together for a walk.
When RNZ's First Up programme joined them at Auckland Domain there were about 30 dogs and their owners.
Club president Ray Linton Brown said it was an ageing club, but he was grateful for the social aspect.
He and his wife, Sandra, have three beagles of their own, and also dog-sit for others.
She said they have had up to 11 in the house before.
"It's great a dinner time, you're going around from one bowl to the next.
"They're very intelligent dogs, and they can keep you on your toes but you've got to be firm with them, but they pay back all that love and everything ten-fold, they're just a lovely breed of dog."
Photo: Supplied / Noah Wilkins
Naughty Morty was there too, he was a dropout from the MPI detector dog programme.
"He didn't quite meet the programme, but he's a wonderful boy, he's very enthusiastic."
Hamiltonian Gavon left home at 7am to make it to the Auckland meet with two-year-old Neo.
"We try to make every [meeting] if we can, if it ties in with other family stuff and we're available."
Photo: Supplied / Noah Wilkins
Karen Staniland is somewhat of a celebrity in the Beagle world, despite now owning Jack Russells instead.
"We got our first beagle in 1974 and we've had beagles all the way through until two and a half years ago.
"They're fun, they're intelligent and I did obedience with two of them and they did quite well at it but you have to be boss, and if you're not boss, beagle can really give you a run-around."
Photo: Supplied / Noah Wilkins
Staniland initiated the walks in 1994 and still shows up to walk with the beagles.
"It's really nice, it's a social thing for people and for the dogs, and beagles are pack animals so they like getting together."
Photo: Supplied / Noah Wilkins
The walk wound its way up in front of the museum, where the beagles and their owners proudly posed for pictures.
Then it was back to start for a cuppa.
