In news set to send tails wagging, The North East Dog Festival has announced that it will be back this year with a weekend dedicated to man's best friend.
The hugely popular event, cancelled last year due to the pandemic, will be leading the way once again in September for two days of canine capers in Northumberland.
With dog ownership said to have rocketed during the pandemic, this year's event is set to be even more popular than ever.
Announcing the news, directors Rebecca Ashworth Earle and Dawn Oliver Doyle said: “After the disappointment of not being able to run last year, we decided to go full steam ahead and offer a whole weekend.
"Planning is already well under way and we’ve plenty up our sleeves that will help put this event on the map for the region."
Billed as a "spectacular outdoor weekend festival", it will run on September 4 and 5 at Northumberland College’s Kirkley Hall Campus in Ponteland, a specialist animal and land-based training venue suited to the scale of the event which offers dogs the chance to try their paw at everything from agility to flyball and gundog scurries to hoopers.
There also will be a chance to win prizes in games such as 'fastest recall' and 'temptation alley' and three charity dog shows will have classes - again with prizes - in categories including 'most handsome dog' and 'best biscuit catcher'.
And a Vets On The Meowve Wellness Tent will feature expert speakers on topics ranging from dog behaviour to first aid.
The organisers are keen to give pet owners something to look to after such a turbulent year and even those who do not own a dog can enjoy the timetable of displays and demonstrations and shop at stalls hosted by around 100 exhibitors.
Lee Lister, associate principal at the college which is also keen to have a chance to showcase its new developments, said: “We’re looking forward to once again hosting The North East Dog Festival.
“The event is always a huge success as we welcome thousands of visitors and their dogs for an amazing day out and we can’t wait for the 2021 festival."
Local business Durham Animal Feeds has become an event partner and its director Lee Hornsby said the company is delighted to be a sponsor, adding: “After the year we’ve had, we think a huge celebration of the dogs that’ve been there to keep us all happy, healthy, active and company throughout the crazy times we’ve all been through is a must."
Other sponsors and local dog training clubs are helping out with the likes of prizes for the festival and Rebecca and Dawn added: "This festival wouldn’t be possible without the support of our fantastic sponsors and huge team of helpers, not forgetting all our visitors on two and four feet.
"We hope we can make them proud this September.”
Tickets for the festival are already on sale and trade stand applications are also being welcomed. See here.
