A 6-year-old female Welsh corgi has been chosen from some 50 rival hounds as "poster girl" for a collection of ninja wear for dogs.

Organizers of the Iga-Ueno Ninja Festival 2005 created the special ninja suits after a visitor to last year's festival commented that ninja clothing for dogs would be a fantastic idea.

In January this year, the organizers began looking for a model to star in an advertisement for the ninja suits. Love, owned by Iga resident Kinzo Hashimoto, competed with 48 other dogs and won the coveted covert contract.

"I didn't think she would win," Hashimoto said. "I hope she helps promote the ninja wear for dogs."

Until the event comes to an end on May 5, the organizers are making the new ninja suits available for pet owners to loan on weekends.

When posing for a recent photo shoot, Love was dressed in a blue ninja hood and jacket, and was armed with a katana made of cloth. Fashion spies, however, say her bark is worse than her bite. (Mainichi Shimbun, Japan, April 8, 2005)