With more than a quarter of a million Instagram followers, working with the likes of Kevin Hart and Kate Middleton’s brother, Lilliput the Maltese has made quite the name for herself in the commercial canine industry.
The 12-year-old dog started modelling seven years ago, after being spotted on the streets of Hampstead for a Good Housekeeping shoot.
Her owner, Marianne De Fiouw, never intended for her pampered pooch to become a star, but after being head hunted, Lilliput loved the camera so much, she never stopped posing.
Marianne, 44, from North London, said: “She's genetically 98% diva. I got her when she was 12 weeks old after she survived an operation hours after being born.
“The vet had said ‘can't guarantee we’ll have a live puppy at the end of the procedure but we’ll give it a go’.
“When I got her I thought she was so lucky to be alive so I was going to do my utmost for her.”
Marianne’s life became so centred around Lilliput that she left her job. Now, the spoiled dog even has her own nutritionist, masseur and chiropractor, and is fed a raw, organic diet made up of 14 different meat such as zebra and reindeer, as well as vegetables and supplements.
The model Maltese launched her Instagram account shortly before taking a job with comedian Kevin Hart, who shared a picture with the pup on Snapchat, sky rocketing her following.
She now has over 251,000 followers on her verified account, with Marianne determined to make it a positive space.
The 44-year-old said: “Kevin’s really sweet and a big dog lover and he ended up having photos with Lills and posted about her on his Snapchat account and I was perplexed when her Instagram started taking off.
“It was nice to use the platform in a positive way, whereas some accounts elicit dissatisfaction and jealousy, but dog accounts are a nice break from these exaggerated versions of their perfect lives.
“Lill’s account developed a character of being a desperate wannabe whose mother was trying to bring her back down to earth.”
Since her glittering career launched, Lilliput has starred in commercials for the BBC and ITV, as well as River Island, Tesco Food, Ford and Now TV, working with celebrities such as the Pet Shop Boys, Martin Kemp and James Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge’s brother.
Marianne added: “If she didn't adore it there’s no way I’d make her model, but any time there is a camera she adores it, lights on her and she just knows what to do.
“She’s like an eternal puppy and I'd like to think the holistic approach that we take helps. I’m blessed for every day I have with her. She's the most important thing in the world to me.”
Now, Lilliput is once again following in the footsteps - or pawsteps - of her idol Kate Moss, launching her own talent agency.
The Animal Talent is set to launch next month, and already has a number of supermodel pets signed up ready to take on their next advertising campaign.
Marianne is determined to make The Animal Talent an ethical platform, making sure the animals are happy to do what is asked of them.
She said: “It’s all about the animals and making sure they’re trained and happy at all times and making sure the animal is right for the job.
“Often you get to a job and the animal can't do what they’re supposed to or aren’t happy in that environment and people need to go away and have a think about it because it’s perhaps not the best way to treat an animal.
“This is a fun way for Lills to emulate her heroines footsteps and launch her own agency.
“We’ve got an in house vet we recommend to have on set of filming to watch over everything. If you’ve not got a happy animal you’re probably not going to get the results you wanted anyway.
“It’s a massive responsibility to care for a pet, let alone ask them to enter the commercial environment so it’s really important for me.”
