Dog lovers will have the chance to see a range of canine sports in action when Dogapalooza launches in Durack next month.
Hosted by Dogs Queensland, the inaugural event will take place on Sunday, 19 April at the organisation’s King Avenue grounds.
The event aims to give the public a closer look at organised dog sports while promoting responsible dog ownership.
Organiser John Mitchell said visitors would be able to watch demonstrations across a wide range of disciplines, from high-speed racing to more creative performances.
“One of the crowd favourites is lure coursing,” he said.
“It’s basically a long string set up in a paddock where the dogs chase a plastic bag around the field. They’re assessed and scored on how they perform.”
Another activity, known as sprint dog, sees dogs race over a 100-metre course.
“They run the 100 metres and they’re timed and graded based on their size and performance,” Mr Mitchell said.
The event will also showcase more unusual canine sports, including trick dog routines and “dancing with dogs”, where handlers perform choreographed routines with their pets.
“It’s like doing a dance with your dog to music,” Mr Mitchell said.
“It’s really fun to watch.”
Breed displays, market stalls and food vendors will also be part of the day, while councils from Logan, Brisbane and Ipswich have been invited to host information booths about responsible dog ownership.
Mr Mitchell said the goal was to encourage people to learn more about dogs and the activities available to them.
“The idea of the day is to get families in and come and try,” he said.
“It’s not about ‘try and buy’, it’s about trying different activities with your dog.”
Visitors will also be able to watch junior dog handlers demonstrate their skills in the show ring, with some young competitors competing at a national level.
Dogapalooza will run from 9am at the Dogs Queensland grounds on King Avenue in Durack.
