Dogs delight the crowds at the first ever Tower Vets Dog Festival in York

Following the success of the Tower Vets’ Dog Fete in the city, plans are already taking shape to host an even bigger pet exhibition next year.

Around 700 people attended the fun-filled day organized by York Veterinary Practice to celebrate man’s best friend with a variety of canine-related activities.

One of the festival’s most popular events was the dog show, with classes for all types of dogs, from the scruffiest mutt to the best cookie catcher and the dog that most resembles its owner. The winners then competed against each other, with Lilly Coll and her pet Teddy being named “Best of the Show”.

On this day, a “participation agility event” took place (Image: Tower Vets)

Tower Vets teamed up with York Dog Park, which hosted its hay bale racing competition, among other events. Other attractions included hands-on agility and behavioral clinics, while members of the veterinary team were on-site to answer questions about animal health.

Owners and fans of 14 breeds, from Rottweilers to Retrievers and German Shepherds to Spaniels, had the opportunity to socialize at special meetings, while there were also stalls selling pet items and street food.

Lucy Jarvis, from Tower Vets, said: “We had a really great result. There was a lot of activity, lots of people enjoying the sunshine, some nice dog meetings and all the social activities.

Tower Vets team members enjoy the dog festival (Image: Tower Vets)

“Our busiest time was just before lunch when York Dog Park was full of dogs trying out agility. The seating around our main ring was full as people gathered to watch the judging of the dog show’s top rescue category, while a pack of Poodles and Poodle crosses met in our breed meeting area. It was fabulous.

“We are satisfied with how the dog festival went. We had fantastic weather, so many wonderful people came in good spirits and some great companies were involved.

“What we enjoyed most was meeting so many familiar dog faces and meeting so many new ones too, we hope to see more of them in the future. “We already have plans to make it bigger and better next year.”

Various prizes were awarded on this day (Image: Tower Vets)

The free event at Knavesmire raised more than £1,070 for Tower Vets’ Stray and Wildlife Fund, which helps the practice care for sick and injured wild animals and pets who have no owner to look after them.

Tower Vets said its branches in Fulford Road, Haxby and Acomb had recently provided urgent veterinary care for many introduced birds and hedgehogs, highlighting the importance of the Stray and Wildlife Fund.

“The fund allows us to provide urgently needed veterinary care to animals and ensures we can do everything we can to help them when there is no one else to care for them,” Lucy added.