Every dog has its day. But in the world’s canine capital, some get their own month.

It’s a fact that in Carmel-by-the-Sea, four legs are better than two. Dogs in this white-sand hamlet are greeted, seated and feted; dressed, tressed and obsessed over. And in 2007, a select few of them appear in the world’s first city-sponsored dog calendar.

Yes, Carmel is officially unleashed, as a handful of the town’s pampered doggie denizens --- call them “puppy pinups” --- dropped everything to raise money for a good cause.

The Carmel community embraced the idea right away, and in October, more than 300 dogs and their owners lined up for blocks for the chance to participate in a casting call at Carmel Beach. The pet pageant, resembling a hybrid of “Best in Show” and “American Idol,” featured double the number of participants organizers had anticipated.

The casting call began at 1:30 p.m. and lasted more than four hours. A line of contestants stretched two blocks from the foot of Ocean Ave. In all, it was an afternoon of canine pageantry that managed to net more than $1,000 for the SPCA.

Judges evaluated the contestants --- each of which crossed a stage with their owner, who answered a question or two about their pet --- in categories like personality, charm, face and first impression.

The announcement of the event created a frenzy in a place known as one of the globe’s most dog-friendly towns.

Contestants in the audition ranged from the big (a Bernese Mountain Dog named Matterhorn and a 210-pound Leonberger called Gustav) to the small (a lasso apso named Truffle and an Italian Spinone called Lady Godiva). Some were fabulous, including a standard poodle with painted toenails and an Italian Greyhound named Armani. Still others came in Carmel casual: several dogs — including winners Wilfredo, Twinkie and Daisy— are just plain mutts.

Carmel, which ranked sixth on Conde Nast Traveler’s 2006 list of America’s Top 10 Travel Destinations, is also consistently rated as one of the world’s best cities for dogs and their owners. In addition to the canine Shangri-La known as Carmel Beach, dogs are welcome at various hotels, restaurants and retail establishments throughout the village.

At the Cypress Inn, a welcoming jar of dog biscuits greets guests waiting to check in, and pets are welcome to spend the night. Restaurants like Portabella and Forge in the Forest seat canine companions with their masters.

While some shops boast hitching posts outside, most allow dogs to come right on in. In fact, when high-end newcomer Wilkes Bashford opened his new Ocean Ave. store in August, he included designer dog collars to his inventory of couture.

To purchase a calendar, please visit www.carmeldogcalendar.com.