A missing police dog spent its fourth night in the bush as rainy weather thwarted search efforts.
Police dog Thames went missing on Sunday during a police exercise west of Carterton in the Wairarapa.
A police spokeswoman said bad weather stopped police and volunteers from searching for the dog today.
"It was important to bring them out ahead of the rough weather. We'll be re-assessing things tonight."
She said police appreciated the help and messages of support received from the public since Thames went missing.
The 3-year-old German shepherd was working with a search and rescue team on a day-long exercise when he became parted from his handler in the Totara Creek/Red Creek area at Mt Holdsworth.
An officer in charge of the Wellington police dog section said Wairarapa Constable Mike Wakefield, Thames' handler, was devastated after Thames went missing.
"He was working with the team down a really hard spur and it's unknown how, but he just got separated," Senior Sergeant Mark Davidson told the Wairarapa Times-Age.
