Competition was "ruff," to say the least, but in the end, Bobby Gorgeous landed the star canine role in Diamond Head Theatre’s production of "Legally Blonde The Musical."

The well-coiffed, 9-year-old Pomeranian’s star power, ability to bark on command and talent for sitting pretty in a pink purse helped him beat out about a dozen other dogs for the role of Bruiser in the musical, which is based on the 2001 Reese Witherspoon movie and opens July 19.

"It was a very difficult decision," said artistic director John Rampage, who made the selection with "Legally Blonde" director Andrew Sakaguchi and Wendy Mah, owner of Sirius Puppy Training.

The Pomeranian will play a pampered pooch who goes everywhere with protagonist Elle Woods.

"Initially, we were looking for a Chihuahua," Rampage said. "But Bobby Gorgeous was just so theatrical. He seemed comfortable showing off."

Though it was his first audition for a play here, Bobby Gorgeous, who belongs to Guylynn Gia of Honolulu, was ahead of the pack with experience as a model and surf dog in California.

"His commands were spot on," Mah said. "Plus he had that little bark in his personality."

Bobby Gorgeous likes attention, to be sure. He’s got his own Facebook page (2,783 likes) and business cards.

"We’re very happy," Gia said. "He’s ready. We’re practicing every day."

More than a dozen dogs of all breeds turned out June 15 to audition for the roles of Bruiser and Rufus, a bulldog who belongs to a hairdresser named Paulette in the musical.

On the theater’s lawn, dogs demonstrated how well they could sit, stay, move and "speak" on command.

Dogs vying for Bruiser’s role were required to sit (and fit) in a pink purse carried by Jody Bill, the actress who plays Elle Woods.

Top contenders included Stitch, a 4-year-old Chihuahua belonging to Denby Dung, host of OC16’s "The Pet Hui," and Nala, a Pomeranian-Chihuahua owned by Brent Gaston of Kaimuki, who barked on cue with great gusto.

A Chihuahua named Zeke, 7, was a first-time auditioner and a little nervous, barking ever so softly on command. Sachi, 4, an Australian silky terrier, had experience in "The Wizard of Oz" at Paliku Theatre, but during her audition made a beeline toward the other dogs to sniff out the competition.

Lilikoi, a 6-year-old Maltese-Papillon-miniature pinscher mix belonging to Gail Serrao of Kailua, stood out with her pink punk hairdo but wasn’t particularly interested in taking cues to bark.

For the role of Rufus, bulldogs were requested, but none auditioned. Contenders included Brady, 4, a bearded collie and service dog for Jeff Wong of Makiki; Shih Tzus Chibi-girl and Teru-boy; and Alaskan Klee Kais Kaito and Chibi.

The decision on Rufus, who makes two brief appearances during the show, is pending.

Canines are not uncommon on Diamond Head Theatre’s stage, with roles in past productions of "Annie," "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Will Roger Follies."

The dogs had to be at the top of their game, Mah said — solid on commands and comfortable around crowds, lights and noise — because DHT generally has only five weeks from audition to opening night.

As volunteer performers, the dogs are given an honorarium comparable to what the human actors receive. DHT declined to disclose the amount.