Public events

MELBOURNE DOG LOVERS FESTIVAL CELEBRATES ITS 10TH BIRTHDAY,
TAKING OVER MELBOURNE SHOWGROUNDS FOR THE FIRST TIME

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October 2024

The much beloved Dog Lovers Festival is thrilled to be celebrating ten years of the nation’s favourite doggie-dedicated event with its return to Melbourne this October. With a more paw-adoring and extensive festival line-up, the beloved two-day festival will be making a grand entrance at its new home of the Melbourne Showgrounds, ready to celebrate the fantastic milestone, promising an unforgettable celebration of our best friends.

New and Expanded Features
• OptimumTM DOGWALK – be entertained by dancing dogs and fur-shion models with their human owner, be inspired by rescue dogs and hear from expert guests as they paw their way down the all-new runway stage.
• Dog Friendly Travel Hub – explore the ultimate destination for dog-friendly travel essentials including accessories, accommodation options and must visit spots for the furry friends.
• Doggie-dedicated supermarket – Shop 'til you drop with everything pups could ever want, all under one roof, in this must-visit shopping haven for pampering these pooches.
• ADVANCE TM Paws and Talks – Get all dog-related queries answered with daily educational sessions featuring DOGS VIC breeders and their canine companions, along with engaging K9-inspired interactive activities.
• Mini Dog Races - root for the little guys as mini dogs under 30cm tackle 15cm jumps in a race celebrating the charm and agility of these shoe-sized dynamos.
• Dog Parkour – be thrilled by an action-packed showcase where dogs navigate an array of challenges and obstacles, displaying impressive physical feats that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
• Australia’s Best Doggleganger – witness the competition for the nation’s top human-canine twins, with winners revealed just before the festival. Follow along on event social pages to see the finalists in action.

Returning Festival Favourites
• Kurgo® DockDogs – marvel at spectacular canine talent as dogs compete in Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieval contests, leaping from a dock into a 100,000-litre pool.
• VitaPet Arena – enjoy Farmer Dave and his team showcasing Extreme High Jumping Dogs, Mini Dog Races, and Dog Parkour. Don’t miss Dr. Katrina Warren, Kelly Gill, and the Wonderdogs sharing training tips and tricks, and catch them again on the OptimumTM DOGWALK!
• Lyka Pat-A-Pooch zone – get up close and paw-sonal with adorable dogs of all breeds in this always-popular attraction.
• Adoption Zone – chat with adoption experts about the joys of responsible pet ownership and help a dog find its forever home.
• ADVANCE TM Breed Showcase – presented by DOGS VIC, this expanded zone lets visitors meet over 800 dogs from A to Z, providing the ultimate dog breed experience.