AFTER three years in the wilderness, Burley-in-Woofdale dog show was back with a bang as Saturday afternoon’s sunshine brought villagers out in force with their happy hounds.
The popular show, which is part of Burley-in-Wharfedale Summer Festival, offered all kinds of entertainment. In the show ring categories ranged from Super Senior to Cheekiest Puppy, Waggiest Tail and Scruffiest Mutt, while the Young Handler classes gave children aged from six to 16 a chance to show off their dog handling skills.
Fun games included an egg and spoon race and a sausage challenge, and the grand finale was the terrier racing.
We were glad to welcome back our loyal supporters Guide Dogs, and Stef’s Pet Pantry, if any of the dogs fancied a snack.
Luna won second in the class for best rescue dog. Her owner, Aly Shia, originally got the Mastiff/ x Great Dane from the Dogs Trust in Leeds after she was left in appalling conditions. Luna had her ears cropped by her previous owner to try to make her look fiercer. But today she is much happier and has competed gun dog and scent detection. Her favourite hobby is destroying toys.
However, the festival was not exclusively for younger dogs; there was also a competition for the more mature pooches. The oldest dog there was 15 years old.
The Super Seniors competition was won by Zeus, who was an RSPCA rescue dog. Despite his difficult experiences, he still loves playing with his frisbee.
Enzo, a 10-month-old Bouvier des Flanders, finished third place in the Cheeky Puppy competition. Enzo’s owner, Dan Bateman, said his favourite toy is “terrible monkey” and his favourite food is tinned mackerel. He also has a naughty side to his personality and enjoys stealing shoes and sometimes clean laundry.
John Aldridge, manager of the Wharfedale Terrier Racing team, said he has been doing events across the country for 12 years, and on average does up to 40 shows per year. He was once on the Countryfile television programme where he was filmed doing terrier racing at Castle Howard in 2019, which he described as “an experience”.
Fiona Marshall, Head of Dog Show HQ, and volunteer member of Burley Summer Festival Committee, said: “On the day we had a fantastic turnout, and it was a great success.” She thanked “everyone who made it possible” including judges Sarah, Kerry and Lottie.
Burley-in-Woofdale was part of Burley Summer Festival, which runs until August 28.
For details of events, visit www.burleysummerfestival.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel