Snowdogs bow wow the crowds on their trail

Armed with their maps, they made their way around the city, ticking off each of the 43 models as they went.

One of the most popular Snowdogs on the first couple of days was The Argus's very own Newshound, which is at Brighton Station.

Also popular was Rose, the Brighton and Hove Albion Snowdog, who brought the Seagulls good luck for their 2-0 win against Barnsley at the Amex.

Fans celebrated with her after the game outside the club shop.

The 43 models, which are 1.5 metre tall and in the shape of the Snowdog children’s character, are dotted around the city.

A 44th is at London Victoria Railway Station and there is also a huge sand sculpture at Brighton Marina as well as a pack of Snowpuppies designed by schoolchildren.

The project, which is raising money for The Martlets hospice, follows on from the success of similar events with different characters in other cities.

Public art trail superfan Danielle Humphreys, who travels around the country spotting giant decorated sculptures, came down from Surrey for the first day.

The 43-year-old said: “I travelled here early in the morning to do it, I could not wait for the trail to launch. I’ve visited Newshound and I'm off to Falmer before going back into town and finding the rest.

"I’m taking pictures of all of them as I go and am trying to complete the trail in nine hours. It is just so much fun and a great way to exercise too.

"I follow Wild in Art - the company which puts the trails together religiously and I've been looking forward to Snowdogs for a long time. I've travelled all around the country doing these trails, I love them."

Visitors have until November 27 to find all the sculptures before they are auctioned off in aid of the hospice.

The Snowpuppies are on display until Christmas.

There are many other ways to get involved:

• Download the free app from snowdogsbythesea.co.uk, the App Store or Google Play for iPhone and Android. When you find a dog, scan the QR code which will allow you access to special offers. You can enter your details to win prizes including a festive family weekend in Brighton with an overnight stay and free entry to an attraction.

When you find Newshound you could win a Christmas hamper sponsored by Choccywoccydoodah including chocolate, wine, vouchers, official Snowdog figurines, a year’s subscription to The Argus and many more treats.

• People are already entering The Argus Snowdog Selfie competition for a chance to feature in the newspaper and win a fabulous prize. Email snowdogs@theargus.co.uk with the subject heading ‘Argus Snowdog Selfie Competition’. Send a high resolution jpg attachment with the full name and ages of everyone in the picture, where they live, and a working contact telephone number by 5pm on Friday, November 18.

Do not forget to tweet @Argus_Newshound to share your pictures and to tell him which Snowdog is your favourite.

COLOURFUL HOUNDS WHO ARE CAPTURING EVERYONE’S HEARTS

WHAT visitors on the Snowdogs trail thought:

Beth Barnes, of Peacehaven: “It’s a really nice way to see parts of Brighton you have never seen before. We’ve been all the way up to Preston Park and down again. We’ve walked about five miles and seen 25 so far, including some of the Snowpuppies. My five-year-old son Oliver loves it.

“Brighton is great because there is always something like this to get you out and about and enjoying the weather and the last bits of summer.”

Lucy Ford, of Brighton: “I’ve seen other public art trails but these Snowdogs are my favourite. I love it, they are so cheery.

“The Martlets hospice is a fantastic cause and they do their work with absolutely no Government funding.

“I love Brighton for the sea, the open spaces. It is such a lovely place to live.”

Mick Lee, 58, of London: “I love the idea of the Snowdogs. I thought the ones down by the seafront were brilliant. It’s very Brighton.

“I love this city for the parties on the beach.”

Angela Velicko, 44, of Bevendean: “This is really fun and quite interesting. I like the Newshound, it teaches people about newspapers and local news. It is quite unusual and grabs your attention. The whole idea is really special for children.

“Brighton is a lovely place to live. There are plenty of chances to get outside. I have lived here 12 years and don’t want to leave.”

Sasha Velicko, nine, of Bevendean: “I loved the Snowdog by Palmeira Square. I want to try and complete the whole trail. The Newshound was fun too.”

Sharon Butler, 46, of Brighton: “I think Snowdogs by the Sea is a brilliant idea. It’s a nice thing to do together and good fun for all generations. My six-year-old Freddie thinks it’s incredible.

“Brighton is such a vibrant, colourful place. It’s fun.”

Clemmie Copeland, 14, of Hove: “I think it’s cool, quirky and great fun for children and families. I’m looking forward to seeing the one outside my school, Brighton and Hove High School.”

Melanie Marbare, 44, of Moulsecoomb: “I loved Dave the Dog in Palmeira Square. I thought he was lovely, such warm colours and bright and shiny. I pass through there on the way to work and my three-year-old Abigail got so excited. It was a complete surprise to see him there. She could not wait to tell everyone else at nursery when she got there.

“We love Brighton because it is so inclusive. It’s a lovely place to live. I lived in London but Brighton has a friendly charm to it. The people are lovely, it’s great being by the sea.”

Aurelie Weeber, 25, of Westbourne Gardens, Hove: “I love Dave the Dog at Palmeira Square. I liked this one as it is funky. It reminds me of an art project in the Netherlands, where I’m from, where artists decorated similar sized elephants for a zoo. I think it’s a fun and original way to raise money for a charity. I like how you just randomly bump into the dogs walking around Brighton. I saw a small black pug barking at the Snowbrador at the seafront – no dog is big enough for a small dog. I have been living in Brighton for about five years now. It has been great so far, it is so nice to live on the coast in this energetic city.”

Marie Clements, 25, of Brighton: “I found the Disco Dog in Duke Street and he is my favourite because I think his design reflects Brighton’s fantastic nightlife.”

Juliane Mueller, 29, of Brighton: “I knew Snowdogs were coming, I read a piece in The Argus. I saw my first one when I went past Churchill Square on the bus. I would really like to take pictures of all of them and spot them all.

“I love living here. I came here first from Germany to improve my English. Every day there is something different going on. It never gets boring.”

Ruth Morris, of Brighton, on the trail with Teresa Razavi and Soraya, aged six: “We’ve seen seven so far. We were going to go to the cinema but Soraya wanted to go on the trail which is great because it gets us all walking and out and about. It’s just the right type of thing to do with children.”

Archi Pessiom-Wilton, seven, and her brother Monty, 11, of Hove, were with their father Dan: “We have found lots of them already. I liked Max at Hove Museum and Flower and Bobby the Snowdog. We were going to be picking blackberries with Daddy but wanted to do this instead and he loves dogs.”

Ben Parker, seven, of London, was with his mother Diane: “I like Patch who is standing with the sea behind him. The design makes it look like he is cosy under a blanket. I want to spot them all but think it will be hard to do in one day so I hope Mummy will let us come back again.

Indy Zukuskaite with Sam Riordan and Lilly Riordan, seven, of Brighton: “We really liked Bella by the Brighton Fishing Museum. We’ve seen four also including Disco Dog which was fun.

“It’s a great idea. It’s a really nice thing to do as a family.

“We love Brighton because it is vibrant, fun, active and you can be close to the sea and because it is quite small - you can get anywhere in 45 minutes by foot.”