DogFest 2023. DogFest is a one-day festival for dogs and their owners, held at Harewood House in Yorkshire. The event features a variety of activities for dogs and their humans, including dog shows, agility courses, training demonstrations, a pet pageant, a dog-friendly market, and food and drink stalls. There is also a dedicated area for children, with games, activities, and a petting zoo.
DogFest is an excellent opportunity for dogs to socialise and have fun while their owners can enjoy a day out in the beautiful surroundings of Harewood House. The event is also great for learning about dog care and training.
Here are some of the specific activities that will be taking place at DogFest:
- Dog shows and agility competitions
- Meet and greets with celebrity dogs
- Dog-friendly shopping and food stalls
- A funfair with rides for dogs and humans
- A dog spa and grooming area
- A dedicated area for puppies
- And much more!
In addition to the activities, DogFest also strongly focuses on education and raising awareness of responsible dog ownership. There are talks and demonstrations on dog training, nutrition, and animal welfare. DogFest also supports several local dog charities.
Big Dog Walk
Fancy meeting new people on a local dog walk? Big Dog Walk, sponsored by ManyPets pet insurance, allows you to join thousands of others and their dogs on a 2- or 4km leisurely walk to explore the beautiful country park in which DogFest is set.
Set-off times are 11 am and 2 pm.
Fun Dog Show
Celebrating the beauty of our four-legged friends, the funny things they do and the bond between owner and dog is our annual Fun Dog Show! Presented by The Ministry of Fun, this year’s spectacle will return with nine classes and an opportunity to win our coveted ‘Best in Show title.
This is extremely popular, so it’s advisable to head to the Fun Dog Show Ring as soon as you arrive at DogFest and book yourselves into the classes that interest you.
Breed Meet-Ups
Join the pack! A hugely popular area of the show is our Breed-Meet Ups area. All day, throughout the weekend, you can meet other members of the DogFest community, share stories, take pictures, and even arrange to meet some local dog owners for a play date.
If you don’t have a dog, it’s also a great chance to enjoy a cuddle or a friendly stroke. We suggest checking your breed meet-up time when you arrive so you can plan it as part of your day.
Have-A-Go Activities
Be a part of the action with our Have-A-Go activities! Proven to be hugely popular is the Hay Bale Race, sponsored by Book Your Pet, where you can discover how fast your dog is against another or see if they are an expert in canine aqua sports as they leap into the K9 Dog Diving pool.
The Fun Dog Show will occur on Saturday and Sunday and is open to everyone. Entry is £3 per class. This year, bookings will only be taken on the day.
This popular area is a chance to teach your dogs new tricks or discover your dog’s superpower! There’s no need to pre-book; sniff out the activities as you navigate the show. Some actions may incur a small cost on the day.
Activity list:
- Hay Bale Race
- Dog Diving
- Have-A-Go Ring
- Agility
- Flyball
- Hoopers
- Ball Pit
- Catch The Flag
Action Arena
The Action Arena is the place to see fast-paced canine demonstrations and competitions from some of the world’s top flyball and agility teams.
Whilst thoroughly entertaining, these demonstrations are designed to show you the exceptional skills that have led these people and their canines to achieve such success and the mutual trust and bond formed through expert training and technique. Performances are all included in the price of your admission ticket and run all day throughout the weekend.
Talks And Demos
Experts in canine behaviour, grooming, and nutrition will be on hand to share their knowledge and practical advice for keeping your dog happy and healthy all year round.
Our Talks and Demo area will offer a series of fascinating demonstrations and discussions, allowing you to ask questions that will help you better understand and care for your canine companions.
Behaviour Zone
Our Behaviour Zone is a safe space to ask for advice and learn to recognise different dog behaviours.
Run by dog Behaviourist and Trainer Adem Fehmi, you can watch interactive demos with special guests and learn new ways to train your dog in specific environments like vets, cafes, and public parks. Adem will also examine breed-specific training, the different types of dogs in each breed, and their training needs. It will be a safe space to come and ask for advice and learn ways to recognise different behaviours in a dog.
Shopping
Prepare to be spoilt for choice at this year’s DogFest, where each event will be packed with over 100 stallholders offering a vast selection of dog-related brands, products and services.
Dog School
In partnership with Dogs Trust
Head to the Dog School arena and book a 15-minute group training session with Dogs Trust. You’ll learn some top tips and new skills, including how to make your training fun and rewarding for you and your dog!
Dog School aims to ensure that its sessions suit your puppy, so bring it along to meet the team first. They have four fun-filled topics, with sessions between 10:00 and 16:30. Please note that all the Dog School arena sessions will be pre-booked on the day. Find out more.
The festival is held on the weekend of 23-24 September 2023. Tickets are available online, starting at £20 for adults and £13 for children at the door. Dogs are free to attend.
Here are some additional details about the event:
- The festival is open from 9.30 am to 5 pm on both days.
- There is a limited amount of parking available at the venue, so it is recommended that you arrive early.
- Dogs must always be on a lead, except in designated areas.
- Many refreshment stalls are on site, but visitors can bring food and drink.
DogFest is a great day out for dogs and their owners of all ages. It is a chance to have fun, learn about responsible dog ownership, and support local charities.
Note: In September, there will be other events: 2 and 3 September at Ashton Court, Bristol BS3 2JT, and 2 and 10 September at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire SG1 2AX
The DogFest website has all the further information, FAQs, prices, events, parking, where to stay, etc. See you there.
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