Two of Taupō's prominent dog clubs are collaborating to bring the community a special event for four-legged friends and their owners next month.
The Taupō Kennel Association (TKA) and Taupō Dog Training Club (TDTC) will host a "Dogs Day Out" on Sunday, April 27th, from 10am to 2pm at the Dog Club Grounds on Centennial Drive.
Jasmine Chaytor, Secretary and Treasurer of the Taupō Kennel Association, told Lake FM this collaborative event is breaking new ground.
"This is really exciting. As far as we know, this is the first time that the two clubs have joined together to put on an event," Chaytor said. "The Taupō Dog Training Club used to have similar events years and years ago, but nothing like this has been held in Taupō for quite some time."
The day will feature a Ribbon Parade for pedigree dogs judged to breed standards, alongside five fun competitions open to all dogs and their owners. These categories include Cutest Puppy, Waggiest Tail, Hairy McLarey (for the scruffiest dog), Owner Lookalike, and Child Handler.
The TDTC will showcase their expertise with demonstrations of dog agility and obedience throughout the day.
"We've got lots of prizes," Chaytor explained. "For all of those five categories that I mentioned before for the competitions, we will have prizes for first, second and third. And we also will have a prize for every child that enters with a dog."
Additional attractions include stalls, a raffle, face painting by a qualified makeup artist, food vendors, a coffee cart, and a sausage sizzle.
Entry to the event is free, though there will be a $5 charge for the Ribbon Parade and a gold coin donation or koha requested for the other competitions and face painting.
"We don't want people to feel excluded because of their financial situation," Chaytor emphasised. "So just come along anyway and we'll find a way to make it work for you."
No pre-registration is required for competitions – dog owners can simply turn up on the day with their pets, who must be kept on a lead and under control at all times.
The event has received support from local businesses including Mitre 10 Mega, McDonald's Taupō, and Wrightsons, who have donated prizes. Organisers welcome additional sponsors to get in touch through the Taupō Kennel Association Facebook page, where updates about the event will be posted.
