Contents
Key Takeaways
- The Dog Lovers Festival is a three-day event celebrating dogs and their owners.
- The festival features attractions such as the VitaPet Arena, the Antinol DockDogs, the InstaPooch, the Pat-A-Pooch, and the PEDIGREE Adoption Zone.
- The festival also offers educational talks and demonstrations from celebrity vets and dog experts and a paws and prosecco bar for the humans.
- The festival will occur from Friday, 13 to Sunday, 15 October 2023, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
- Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online or at the door.
What is the Dog Lovers Festival?
The Dog Lovers Festival is one of the largest dog events in the world dedicated to dogs and their owners. It is a celebration of the friendship and unconditional love we share with our best friends. The festival aims to educate, entertain, and inspire dog lovers of all ages and backgrounds. It also supports dog welfare and adoption causes by partnering with various breed clubs, rescue groups, and charities.
The festival has been running since 2012 and has attracted over 200,000 visitors and 800 dogs representing more than 100 breeds. The festival has also won several awards, including the Best Consumer Show Award at the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia Awards in 20161.
What can you do at the Dog Lovers Festival?
The festival offers a variety of attractions and activities for both dogs and humans. Here are some of the highlights:
VitaPet Arena
The VitaPet Arena is where you can watch amazing performances by talented dogs and their trainers. You can see agility, obedience, flyball, dancing, tricks, and more. You can also cheer on your favourite dogs as they compete in various contests, such as the Best Dressed Dog Competition, the Cutest Dog Competition, and the Fastest Dog Competition.
Antinol DockDogs
The Antinol DockDogs is a thrilling spectacle of dogs jumping into a giant pool of water. You can watch dogs of all shapes and sizes show off their speed, distance, and height as they leap off a dock and splash into the water. You can also register your own dog to participate in this fun activity if they are over six months old and love water.
InstaPooch
The InstaPooch is where you can meet some of the most famous and adorable dogs on Instagram. You can take selfies with them, get their pawtographs, and follow them on social media. You can also learn from their owners how they became internet sensations and how they use their fame to promote positive messages.
Pat-A-Pooch
The Pat-A-Pooch is where you can cuddle with some of the cutest and friendliest dogs in the festival. You can choose from a variety of breeds, sizes, and personalities to find your perfect match. You can also learn more about each dog’s history, temperament, and care from their owners or handlers.
PEDIGREE Adoption Zone
The PEDIGREE Adoption Zone is where you can find your new best friend. You can meet hundreds of dogs that are looking for a loving home from various rescue groups and shelters. You can also get expert advice on adoption, fostering, training, and health from veterinarians and animal welfare workers.
What else can you expect at the Dog Lovers Festival?
Besides the attractions mentioned above, there are many more things to enjoy at the festival. Here are some of them:
- Educational talks and demonstrations from celebrity vets such as Dr Katrina Warren12345 , Dr Harry Cooper1, Dr Lisa Chimes1, Dr Chris Brown1, Dr Tim Faulkner1, Dr Alex Hynes1, Dr Scott Miller1, Dr Mark Reeve1, Dr Audrey Shen
VitaPet Arena
The VitaPet Arena is the main stage where you can watch amazing performances by talented dogs and their trainers. You can see agility, obedience, flyball, dancing, tricks, and more. You can also cheer on your favourite dogs as they compete in various contests, such as the Best Dressed Dog Competition, the Cutest Dog Competition, and the Fastest Dog Competition1.
Some of the performers that you can see at the VitaPet Arena are:
- Dr Katrina and Kelly Gill’s Wonderdogs: A team of rescue dogs that perform incredible feats of intelligence, agility, and obedience2.
- Dave Graham’s Extreme High Jumping Dogs and Temptation Alley: A group of dogs that can jump over six feet high and resist the temptation of food and toys along a narrow path2.
- Lucy Karbowiak, Emily Lyons & The High Flying Team: A trio of Australian champions that showcase their skills in disc dogging, a sport that involves throwing and catching frisbees3.
Antinol DockDogs
The Antinol DockDogs is a thrilling spectacle of dogs jumping into a giant pool of water. You can watch dogs of all shapes and sizes show off their speed, distance, and height as they leap off a dock and splash into the water. You can also register your own dog to participate in this fun activity if they are over six months old and love water1.
The Antinol DockDogs is divided into three categories:
- Big Air: The longest jump wins.
- Extreme Vertical: The highest jump wins.
- Speed Retrieve: The fastest swim wins.
InstaPooch
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The InstaPooch is where you can meet some of the most famous and adorable dogs on Instagram. You can take selfies with them, get their pawtographs, and follow them on social media. You can also learn from their owners how they became internet sensations and how they use their fame to promote positive messages1.
Some of the InstaPooch stars that you can meet are:
- @manny_the_frenchie: A French bulldog with over 1.2 million followers who raises money for various animal charities.
- @lifeofpikelet: A former rescue dog who fosters other animals in need and advocates for adoption.
- @lennythebostonterrier: A Boston terrier who loves to dress up in costumes and make people smile.
