The Dog Lovers Festival is all set to celebrate its tenth birthday, marking a significant milestone with a grand event at its new home, the Melbourne Showgrounds. This October, the much-loved festival promises an unforgettable experience for dog enthusiasts across the city, showcasing a variety of exciting attractions and activities that honour our canine companions.
Since its inception, the Melbourne Dog Lovers Festival has evolved into one of Australia’s premier events, celebrating the unique bond between dogs and their owners. Over the past decade, the festival has witnessed the changing landscape of pet ownership, from the mid-2010s through the challenges of COVID-19 and into the current post-lockdown era. This year’s festival aims to continue its mission to educate, entertain, and support pet parents, with a spectacular line-up of events designed to delight every attendee.
Festival Founder Jason Humphris, a Melbourne local, is eager to share this milestone with the community. Reflecting on the festival’s ten-year journey, Humphris expressed his excitement about the event’s growth and the new attractions that await visitors. Among the highlights are the Dog Friendly Travel Hub, the Optimum™ DOGWALK, and Australia’s Best Doggleganger competition, to name just a few.
“I am thrilled to celebrate our 10th birthday with a move to the Melbourne Showgrounds,” Humphris said. “This new venue feels like the perfect next step as we continue to grow. With a fresh festival line-up featuring doggie entertainment, educational zones, and talks from Australian pet experts, we can’t wait to share our birthday with all dog owners.”
Humphris emphasised the festival’s commitment to meeting the needs of dog parents and the broader canine community. Whether it’s providing new ways to pamper their pups, offering advice on bringing a new dog into the family, or exploring the best options for dog-friendly holidays, the festival has something for everyone. Over the years, the event has also played a pivotal role in finding forever homes for over 2,000 dogs through its Adoption Zones. Humphris is eager to see how the next decade will unfold for the festival and its community.
What’s New at the Festival?
This year’s event will introduce several new and expanded features:
- Optimum™ DOGWALK: A dazzling parade where Australia’s most popular pups strut their stuff alongside their human companions. The runway will also feature rescue dogs and guest experts sharing their insights.
- Dog Friendly Travel Hub: The ultimate destination for all things dog-friendly, from travel accessories to accommodation options and must-visit spots for your furry friends.
Doggie-Dedicated Supermarket: A shopping haven where you can find everything your pup could ever want, all under one roof. - ADVANCE TM Paws and Talks: Daily educational sessions with DOGS VIC breeders and interactive activities designed to engage and inform dog lovers.
- Mini Dog Races: Cheer on the little ones as they navigate 15cm jumps in a race that celebrates their agility and charm.
- Dog Parkour: An action-packed showcase where dogs tackle various obstacles, demonstrating their impressive physical abilities.
- Australia’s Best Doggleganger: A competition to find the nation’s top human-canine lookalikes, with winners revealed just before the festival.
Festival Favourites Returning
The festival will also bring back some of its most beloved attractions:
- Kurgo® DockDogs: Watch in awe as dogs compete in Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieval contests, leaping into a 100,000-litre pool.
- VitaPet Arena: Farmer Dave and his team return with Extreme High Jumping Dogs, Mini Dog Races, and Dog Parkour. Dr. Katrina Warren, Kelly Gill, and the Wonderdogs will also be on hand to share training tips and tricks.
- Lyka Pat-A-Pooch Zone: Get up close and personal with adorable dogs of all breeds in this always-popular attraction.
- Adoption Zone: Speak with adoption experts about the joys of responsible pet ownership and help a dog find its forever home.
- ADVANCE TM Breed Showcase: Meet over 800 dogs from various breeds in this expanded zone, offering the ultimate dog breed experience.
And for those who love both dogs and cats, the festival offers a special treat: free entry to the Cat Lovers Festival running next door. This weekend promises to be a paw-some celebration, honouring the special place dogs hold in our lives.
Dog lovers that are also feline-inclined will receive FREE entry to the Cat Lovers Festival running next door.
- FESTIVAL LOCATION: Melbourne Showgrounds, Ascot Vale
- DATES & TIMES: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October 2024, 9:30am until 5pm
- TICKETS: dogloversfestival.com.au/
melbourne (pre-bookings online are essential)
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