Record numbers visited Discover Dogs event
ATTENDANCE at this year's Discover Dogs event has topped any in its 18-year history.
A total of 34,047 people attended the two-day event, which was up by 13 per cent on last year. The theme of Discover Dogs this year was helping people choose the right pedigree dog for their lifestyle, from a responsible breeder.
Visitors were able to meet more than 200 dog breeds, shop for products at the hundreds of trade stands and get advice about choosing the right dog, dog training and buying from a responsible breeder.
Competitions were also a big feature at the event, and included the ABC Agility semi-finals for medium dogs and large novice dogs, the agility Small Mixi Pairs finals and the agility Starters Cup finals. The event also saw the Kennel Gazette Junior Warrant of the Year semi finals, the UK Junior Handler of the Year finals, the Companion Dog Club finals, and the class finals for Scruffts, the grand final of which will be held at Crufts.
VIPs and celebrities came out to support the event, with a special appearance from Merlin actor Anthony Head, radio DJ Sara Cox, who came to the event to find a new dog, the Geldof family and Olympic swimmer, Sharron Davies.
Caroline Kisko, secretary of The Kennel Club, said: “Discover Dogs is a unique event that enables visitors to meet more than 200 breeds of pedigree dog under one roof, and to find out about their many advantages, as well as making a responsible decision about which breed is right for their lifestyle. We are so glad that the public continue to find so much enjoyment from this event, which really does make a difference for dogs.”
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
