The customary confusion saw 90 dogs and their owners running, slipping and sliding, and crawling in the snow, aiming to be the first down the slope after travelling up the mountain on the chairlift.
This year the competition was divided into two categories - town and country dogs and owners. The 35 townies had a slightly easier task - their goal was just to make it down the mountain.
However, the 55 country dogs, who had come from all over Southland and as far north as Twizel, had the extra challenge of going back up the slope to the finish line, without their owners.
A symphony of whistles, name calling and frustrated yells echoed over the mountain, which proved entertaining for the hundreds gathered at the Coronet's base building watching the action.
Exposure, a Queenstown talent and modelling agency, entered an unusually human-looking dog called Rex - which turned out to be Liam Scott in a suit - who was firmly secured on the end of a lead held by Holly Roche.
The winner of the inaugural dog derby in 1975, Bill Dagg of Arrowtown, went along to reminisce about the old days.
"There were miles fewer dogs back when it started. It's still great fun though. I didn't compete this year, but I'm enjoying the laughs and the beer," he said.
Queenstown man Chris Kent with his dog Burt, was the first town team down the slopes, just beating other Queenstown dog owners Steve Farquharson with dog Max, and Linden Brackstone with Deagle.
The country section was hotly contested, with Troy MacDonald, of Lumsden's Nokomai Station, eventually coming out the winner.
Mr MacDonald's prize was two packs of the sponsor's product, while his dog Max won half a sheep carcass for his efforts.
Waikaia man James McKea and his dog Jake the Muss were second, and Dan Murray, with dog Rip, also of Nokomai Station,were third.
The other winner of the event was the SPCA, with $750 from entry fees being given to the charity at the conclusion.
The action continued in Queenstown late yesterday afternoon during the second part of the competition - dog barking.
Fifty-three dogs had to take to the stage on a pile of hay bales and bark on command into a microphone.
The unfortunate owners of dogs with stage-fright had to take to the hay bales themselves and bark if their dogs failed to perform.
Hundreds more gathered on the Village Green to watch as dogs licked, or attempted to eat, the microphone, with some completely disinterested in the proceedings.
John Broughton's incredibly obedient dog Manson took top honours in the barking section.
