Five of best dog-friendly events - celebrate the return of dog shows this summer with some brilliant British events
As Covid restrictions begin to ease we’re pawsitively brimming with excitement at the news that many of our favourite dog shows and events are back with a bang (or should that be a bark?). Whilst we’ve all had a lot more time to spend with our fur babies during the pandemic, there’s nothing quite like getting out and about with our favourite pooch pals.
Dogstival at Burley Park in the New Forest June 5th and 6th
Dogstival is a brilliant day out where you can meet hundreds of other dogs and owners whilst watching in awe as some of the best doggos in the business show off their skills in flyball, agility, scent work and hoopers ring. There’s a brand-new Gundog Village with scurries, junior handler competitions and a Working Test where you can put your pupper through his paces.
There are behaviour experts on hand, vet tips from ITV’s Dr Scott Miller, swimming pools for dog-diving, a giant pampering, grooming and chill out den, and there’s even a Doggy Chapel for impromptu weddings! You can eat, drink and shop your way around the festival where you’ll find goodies for you and your pup, and there’s also some great live music across the weekend to get those paws tapping!
All About Dogs at Blenheim Palace July 3rd and 4th
One of our favourite doggy days-out is back and bigger than ever! Set in the beautiful grounds of the historic Blenheim Palace, there are incredible arena displays from some of the UK’s leading dog teams, advice from some of the best experts in the country, superb shopping and lots of have-a-go activities.
The organisers have cannily bought in a guaranteed crowd-puller this year with the ‘Meet the famous Watermill Wolves’ attraction. Visitors can get up close and personal with experienced animal actors that have appeared in series including ‘Vikings’, ‘Penny Dreadful’, ‘Ripper Street’, ‘Horrible Histories’, ‘Don’t Tell the Bride’ and the interactive Netflix show ‘You Vs. Wild’ starring Bear Grylls.
Dogfest – 11th – 12th Sept at Knebworth, Hertfordshire; 18th -19th Sept at Cirencester Park, Gloucestershire; 25th-27th Sept at Tatton Park, Cheshire.
Dogfest is a fabulous country-wide dog furiendly festival with three locations and dates where dog lovers come together to celebrate our very best friends. There’s loads to do and see at all three locations, including great advice from industry experts, arena displays, tons of have-a-go activities and fantastic shopping villages where you’ll find all sorts of unique, useful and unusual pet products. Pick your closest festival or visit all three!
Holidaying with the hound
If you’re holidaying with your dog, consult Dog Friendly Britain.co.uk for places to stay and visit with your pooch – you might be surprised how many places accept visiting canines.
Pet dogs are carried free on board Bodmin & Wenford Railway’s standard daytime service trains, while Fairhaven Garden allows two dogs at a time on their 20 minute broads trip and 50 minute St Benet's Abbey trip.
If you love visiting National Trust properties you’ll be delighted to know that many of them welcome our four-legged friends, and there are always great places for a drink and a good old sniff: There are even special trails at some properties that have been designed for dogs and their well-behaved owners to enjoy the best bits of the gardens.
And finally…
Crufts is sadly cancelled, but Discover Dogs 2021 - presented by The Kennel Club UK - runs from Sat 20th Nov – Sun 21st Nov at ExCeL London. Here you can meet and greet over 200 different pedigree breeds and learn how to care for and train them, as well as finding out how to make the responsible choice when choosing a new pup. The purpose of Discover Dogs is to inform, educate and advise, and there is certainly plenty of that on offer. It’s a very good day out, especially if you’re thinking of opening your home and heart to a new pupper!