If you’re having a ruff week, this news should cheer you up. The Melbourne Dog Lovers Festival, formerly known as the Melbourne Dog Lovers Show, is coming back to town for its 10th year. This massive, dog-dedicated event will run for three days, with live performances from talented pups, educational talks, adoption groups, petting zones and much, much more. This year, over 30,000 visitors will interact with around 1,000 dogs from over 100 breeds. This puppy paradise is taking over Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from Friday October 13 to Sunday October 15.
Melbourne Dog Lovers Festival
Whether you’re a dog owner, or a future paw-rent, there’s something for everyone at the Melbourne Dog Lovers Festival. Find all sorts of ways to spoil your furbaby with products like accessories and treats, or learn more about adopting with the help of rescue shelters and adoption groups. This year, there’s heaps of new entertainment and beloved activities to discover at the festival.
Meet dogs
Cosy up with adorable pups in the Lyka Pat-A-Pooch zone. Interact with litters of dogs of all shapes and sizes, and who knows? You might meet your next best friend.
Head to the Breed Showcase and learn about popular and lesser-known types of dogs from leading breeders. There will be daily talks and Q&A sessions on the Ask-the-Breeder Stage.
Then, check out the Pedigree Adoption Zone and explore dozens of adoption groups and rescue shelters. Learn about responsible dog ownership and the adoption process. Some stands will also have dogs looking for their forever homes, so you can even start the adoption process at the festival.
Advance Stage
Head to the Advance Stage and see educational and entertaining events from Australia’s top trainers and vets. Bluey and Bingo from the beloved animated series, Bluey, will be there for the first time, headlining the program with daily performances for the whole family.
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will be on stage too, with his Science of Dogs talk, followed by an interactive Q&A. Animal trainer Luke Hura and Lauren Sellwood will tell you all about the secrets behind training dogs for the screen. Meanwhile, Kelly Gill and Dr Katrina Warren will share tips about surviving puppyhood, with live demonstrations from the Wonderdogs.
See glamourous dogs from social media strut their stuff on stage, pose for the camera, and allow MC Brodie Young to interview these perfect pooches about their secrets to fame.
Dog demonstrations
Wash out! You’ll be in the Splash Zone as a team of dogs launch themselves into a 100,000 litre pool in the Big Air, Extreme Vertical and Speed Retrieve competitions.
Feel energised by Farmer Dave Graham and his Extreme High Jumping Dogs and K9 Superwall demonstrations.
Kelly Gill, Dr Katrina Warren and the Wonderdogs will open the doors to their own Academy. Laugh and watch as these talented border collies showcase their skills.
Lucy Karbowiak, Emily Lyons and The High Flying Team will present a showcase of agility and disc. This fun sport, Frizgility, combines tunnels, jumps and a frisbee. They will also search for Australia’s quickest dog in the Flying Fast Flyball.
Other activities
Stock up on products with exclusive festival specials and new releases. Find accessories, food, treats, toys, pet bags, bedding, pet insurance, dog friendly accommodation and pet photographers.
There’s also face painting for the little ones, and a Dog Lovers Festival Neon Selfie Wall.
There will also be food trucks, coffee and tipples, so you can have a break, recharge, and dive right back into the festival.