Dreaming of stardom: Dogs wait to audition to be the new Toto at the Kennel Club building at Stoneleigh Park in WarwickshireShowbusiness can be a dog-eat-dog world - especially when there's a part in an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical up for grabs.
The composer is looking for a canine star to play Dorothy's loyal companion Toto in his production of The Wizard of Oz.
But it has to be said that it was the owners who were the most competitive yesterday. Their charges, some 400 of them, ranged from the enthusiastic to the simply confused.
Puppy love: Dogs and owners queue for their turn in the spotlightIn the 1939 movie version starring Judy Garland, Toto was played by a black Cairn Terrier called Terry - who was paid more than the actors playing the Munchkins.
Bidding to be top dog at the start of the two-day audition process, taking place rather appropriately near Kenilworth, Warwickshire, was a motley assortment of dogs, most of them on the small side.
A drizzly start to the day at Stoneleigh Park left owners frantically trying to keep their pets' paws free of mud.
By the time the sun had come out and the queue had started moving, barks of impatience punctuated the air.
Once inside, pockets of treats proved a handy enticement to displaying tricks of the paw-waving and head-tilted-appealingly variety.
'We're looking for dogs with a spring in their step and in tip-top condition,' said the instructions from the Toto selection panel.
'Our winning Toto will need to be confident, as they will be around lots of people and dogs in new environments.
'Finally, the Toto panel are looking for a true star. The winning doggy will have bags of personality and not be afraid to show it off.'
Competing: Tayla Butler and her dog Buffy, left, and Anita Aslin and her dog Millie
Not the best of friends: These dogs weren't pleased to see one another
The original: Terry the dog and Judy Garland as Toto and Dorothy in the 1939 MGM film The Wizard Of Oz Contestants were split into 17 groups and then put through their paces, walking on a lead around a 22-yard ring with the other dogs for about 15minutes.
If a dog barked, stopped or jumped up they were eliminated.
Owners were then asked to show any tricks their dog could do. Those that impressed were invited back to perform a series of tasks, apparently including the ability to remain still in the midst of noise and music.
By the end of the day, 40 were given green rosettes and invited back.
Today there will be more auditions.
The judges will make a short list of ten who will appear on Saturday night's BBC1 talent show Over the Rainbow which is selecting the girl to play Dorothy in the Lloyd Webber production.
The ten will then be cut down to five before the winning Toto is named.
Some of the animals had become so frustrated with waiting that they blew their moment of glory in front of the judging panel, made up of Jodie Prenger - Nancy in Sir Andrew's production of Oliver - and dog experts Sarah Fisher and Gerry Colt.
Hopeful: One of the contestants, left, and Jenny Deakin and Tom, who got through
Pampered pooch: Wannabe Toto Dexi gets a lift from his owner Holstead 
Puppy love: A long line of potential Totos await their chance in the spotlightsource :dailymail
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