Get your pooch’s best duds out and start exercising your mutt if you want the family dog to win some of the prizes at the annual Doggie Dash this year. The annual Paulmac’s Pet Food Doggie Dash is happening again this year in Gravenhurst, taking place on Saturday, February 28. Registration is free, and starts at 1:30 pm, with the races starting at 2:00pm. 

  Part of the Gravenhurst Chamber’s Fresh Tracks Winter events, it will be held outside at the Paulmac Pet Foods store on Philip Street, across from the National Bank on Gravenhurst’s main street, (Philip Street will be closed off while the event is on).

  “The dash will have two heats – one for large dogs and another for small dogs, with prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place,” explains Sandy Cairns, store manager. In previous years the prizes have been bags of dog food, with goody bags for all participants.

  “Last year we had 52 participants, and we expect 70 to 75 this year,” says Sandy, adding that there are even people from as far away as Barrie bringing their dogs to the event.

  The dash is preceded by the Best Dressed contest. Sandy explains that the costume can be anything, such as doggie jackets, or some special cloths. “Last year’s winner was dressed Hawaiian,” says Sandy, “with the owner dressed up the same.”

  There are other events, too. The Muskoka District Kennel Club will be in attendance, doing dog obedience demonstrations. There is also the ‘Bad to the Bone’ group doing agility demonstrations with their dogs. “These involve running the dogs through a course with ramps and jumps and the like,” explains Sandy, comparing the event to the agility challenges that take place at the Royal Winter Fair.

  The Doggie Dash has been taking place for over 10 years now, and promises to be a fun-filled event for the dogs and their owners.

Paulmac’s in Gravenhurst is located on Philip Street, near the National Bank. Call 705.687.6409 for more details.