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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Katie Pearson & Nia Dalton

Tiny 'diva' dog drives mini Mercedes, models for Aldi and has more clothes than owners

A tiny dog with a big wardrobe and even bigger social life has become a little celebrity in his local area.

Miniature dachshund Rocco lives up to his "diva-ish" ways by driving around in a mini Mercedes and impatiently awaiting his fashion freebies to arrive in the post.

Doting owners, Katie and Jake Baker, both 28, said the sausage dog "loves the camera" and has been happily dressing up in outfits since he was just three months old.

Rocco owns dozens of adorable get-ups, including printed shirts, bow ties, sunglasses, cowboy hats and miniature dungarees.

Katie insists the pedigree pup has a "better social life" than them after signing up to a talent agency and gathering 16,000 Instagram followers from across the globe.

Rocco is a natural in front of the camera (Katie Baker / SWNS)

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Rocco has starred in ads for Brewdog, Jack Daniels and Aldi, as well as TGI Fridays and Go Outdoors.

Katie, a technology professional, from Knutsford, Cheshire, said: "Rocco loves posing for the camera - he's such a natural. He's a tiny little dog but he thinks he's much bigger than he is.

"Rocco is definitely a bit of a diva but he's so loyal and loving. Even though he's small, he's got a huge personality. We're glad so many people are enjoying him as much as we are."

His wardrobe is more impressive than Katie's (Katie Baker / SWNS)

Rocco joined the Baker family in 2018 when he was just eight weeks old and has loved the limelight since he was a puppy.

He comes from a line of pedigree dachshunds and his grandmother was a contender in dog competition Crufts.

Katie first posted a photo of Rocco in a red bow tie online when he was three months old, and the post went viral.

The couple then set up his own Instagram page and it was the start of Rocco's rise to stardom.

Rocco lives a luxurious life for a dog (Katie Baker / SWNS)

Katie said: "He enjoys dressing up and he'll sit patiently for a photo - it's very cute.

"We couldn't believe the response we got to his photos. Now he’s got followers from all over the world who love his posts."

The couple, who live at home with their two-year-old daughter Cindy-Lou, said the pup is often sent clothes to promote and even owns a mini Mercedes.

Katie said: "He has more clothes than me and definitely a better social life. He's got boxes of items like bowties, collars, jackets, coats and hats.

Jack and Katie love to spoil Rocco (SWNS)

"He knows when a package arrives for him, and he comes running to open it."

According to Katie, Rocco is well-known around their hometown.

She said: "Everyone recognises him in the restaurants and shops. Someone even spotted him when we were on a trip to London.

"We both work at home, so Rocco goes everywhere with us - he's part of the family. He definitely thinks he's a human too."

Rocco is a member of the family (Katie Baker / SWNS)
He stars in well-known adverts (Katie Baker / SWNS)

Despite his A-lister lifestyle, Katie insists Rocco is 'humble' family dog at heart.

She added: "He’s the sweetest dog and gets on so well with Cindy-Lou. He runs straight over to her when she's back from nursey.

"He'll always cuddle up to us on the sofa in the evening. I don't think the fame has gone to his head yet."

Do you have a story to tell? Contact nia.dalton@reachplc.com.

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