Meet Humphrey; Norfolk pet dog and international model

The wire fox terrier from Tilney All Saints, near King’s Lynn, is not just a much-loved pet. He is also an international model.  

He has starred in television and magazine advertisements, helped sell everything from fashion to food, and when not strutting his stuff for the cameras lives with Gil Morais and Philip Elliott, their other wire fox terrier Hattie, plus two horses, two donkeys, four pygmy goats and a flock of hens (who also model as a side-hustle).  

Humphrey, now eight, was just a puppy when he broke into the modelling world by winning a dog show competition.  

Gil and Philip believe his temperament, as much as his handsome looks, make him such a sought-after model.   

“He likes people,” said Gil. It means he happily follows instructions – particularly if they are accompanied by the promise of cheese.  

Gil and Philip now run a boutique self-catering holiday business in Norfolk, but were living in London when they entered their new puppy, Humphrey, in a local dog show, dressed as ‘Sherlock Bones.’   

“He won!” said Gil. “Everyone was absolutely mad for Humphrey!” 

Humphrey was their first dog. “He chose us,” said Philip. “He came over and interacted with us.”   

It is a breed he has always loved but he said: “We weren’t thinking of putting him on the stage at that point!”   

Neither Philip nor Gil had any experience of modelling, but soon their puppy had his own agent and offers of work came pouring in.  

His first gig was a television commercial for fashion designer Tom Ford.  

Humphrey went on to model for Boden, John Lewis, Waitrose, Ocado, Cath Kidstone and Not On The High Street, and has done catalogue shoots for Japanese and Belgian fashion designers, and television adverts which have been shown around the world.   

He is big on social media too. 

“We love Humphrey so much that we love it when other people love him,” said Philip.  

Gil said: “Directors can be amazed that he will do things in just one or two takes.”  

Gil and Philip have featured in two episodes of the BBC’s Escape to the Country. At first they hunted for their perfect rural home in Suffolk. A second programme revisited them after they found Old Hall in Norfolk. 

Philip still works as an educational improvement consultant after a career in teaching. Gil, who grew up in Brazil and moved to New York then London, worked in international banking, said: “I wanted to leave the busy city life and have a different kind of life.” 

Philip particularly loves the chance to have his own horse, and the escape to the country meant a change of pace for hipster Humphrey (and his trendy beard and snazzy neckwear) too.   

“Humphrey’s career has had to slow down a bit because we’re here. When we get a job in London Gil and I have to shuffle things around so that one of us can take him,” said Philip.   

Gil added: “Sometimes it can be quite glam, and quite funny. A black cab will be waiting for Humphrey, or there will a vet just for Humphrey or a box of food just for Humphrey.”  

Gil and Philip created holiday accommodation at Old Hall. Many guests bring dogs, some even bring their own horses - to join the resident dogs, horses, goats and hens.  

“Everyone loves seeing the animals,” said Gil. “Some people even started coming on holiday here because of Humphrey!”   

“We’ve got one lady who comes and stays four times a year and her main motivation is to see Humphrey. He goes in and watches television with her in the evening and she rings sometimes, just to have a chat and check Humphrey is OK.”