Our subscribers have crowned central PA’s cutest dog. Get to know this adorable pup

Our subscribers have spoken, and Theodore, a miniature dachshund, is the cutest dog in central Pennsylvania. This pup earned that distinction by receiving 56% of the nearly 500 votes cast in our championship-round poll .

Now 4 years old, Theodore lives in Centre Hall with his owners, Tom and Jennifer Aufiero. They added him to their family back in Montana when Theodore was just 8 weeks old.

“He is a nervous but loving little fellow,” Jennifer wrote to the Centre Daily Times in an email. “We entered him in a dachshund dash race last summer, but he was too shy and jumped back into my lap. So, he is excited to win something he is good at: being super cute!”

In an email, Jennifer said Theodore was always destined for cuteness. She chalked up his good looks to his long, golden locks and black-lined eyes, which resemble his mother, Maybelline.

Theodore’s family celebrated his big win with a family trip to Meyer Dairy in State College for a pup cup ice cream treat. He wasted little time before bragging about his newfound fame and hopes to receive some pepperoni slices as an additional prize, Jennifer said.

“When we broke the news that he is now THE cutest dog in central Pennsylvania, he immediately ran a celebratory figure eight zoomie run,” Jennifer wrote. “He has also been bragging to all the squirrels and his house pack mates, Eva, Tilly and Dottie Jo. With all the ‘puparazzi’ lurking outside the fence, he now has to retreat to the privacy of his favorite ‘lair’ under his people’s bed.”

According to his owners, Theodore can often be found hiding in windowsills or behind curtains. He loves snuggles, bananas and sleeping under the covers, but can’t stand rain, baths, swimming, walking on a leash or tall, wet grass.

While any Centre Daily Times reader could enter their beloved dog into our contest to find the cutest pup in central Pennsylvania, only subscribers could vote on each round. The Aufieros subscribed shortly after moving to Centre County earlier this year.

“We subscribed to Centre Daily Times after moving to Centre Hall earlier this summer to learn more about the community and news relevant to State College, Centre County and Pennsylvania overall,” Jennifer said.

Their support, and the support of all subscribers, helps fund not only daily coverage of the community and area institutions, but also investigative work, sports, dining and education news. Still need a Centre Daily Times subscription? Visit centredaily.com/subscribe to find the latest subscription options and offers, including an introductory rate of 99 cents for a month of digital access to the Centre Daily Times.

Stay tuned for more from the Centre Daily Times, including an upcoming series of polls featuring the finest felines in central Pennsylvania to ultimately crown the cutest cat. Remember: These polls aren’t scientific — they’re for fun!