| The
Wag and Bone Show 2006 |
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The Wag & Bone show is in
its fourth successful year and is often described as the most
fun day out you can have with your dog. And each year the event
promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Not only that
but it is all in the name of animal welfare, with profits being
shared between seven of the best-known animal welfare charities.
The Wag & Bone Show is now a popular
and familiar event on the canine calendar. Looking at what the
day has to offer, it is not hard to see why. There is the Games
Zone, Top Dog fun dog show for real dogs, Pup Idol talent contest,
doggie dancing, Scruffts heats, look-alike competition, world
record attempt, Rescue Village area, plus lots of demos and interactive
rings. There is also some fantastic doggie shopping to do at the
numerous stalls.
Competitions
Enjoy your day out even more by getting involved and entering
lots of things. Apart from the Wag & Bone Awards, other competitions
include Pup Idols for dogs with special talents and a Look-alikes
competition for owners who look like their dogs.
You can enter many of the competitions in advance - perfect for
beating those queues and avoiding any disappointment on the day.
Visit the official Wag and Bone Show Competitions
page for details.
VIP Experience
You can upgrade your Wag and Bone Show experience by purchasing
a VIP pass. This allows you and your pooch access to the VIP area
and air-conditioned ringside marquee, refreshments, 3 course luncheon,
afternoon tea, and a doggie bag for each canine. See the Wag
and Bone Show website for further details.
Getting there
Click on the map or click
here to download a printable version of this map
(pdf format, 126k).
Camping
Why not make your visit to the Wag & Bone Show into a 2 day
break. You can arrive the night before, set up camp and relax
with your dog before the big day. The camping fee covers Friday
and Saturday so you don’t have to do that long journey home
after your fun-packed day. Camping is only £25 for the two
nights but you must book in advance to make use of this facility.
| Tickets |
|
| Adults |
£12 (£10 in advance) |
| Children/Senior Citizens |
£6 (£5 in advance) |
| Family (2 adults, 2 children) |
£28 (£25 in advance) |
| Children under 5 |
FREE |
| Dogs |
FREE |
| Car Park |
FREE |
| Camping (2 nights - Fri & Sat) |
£25 (in advance only) |
If you would like to book your tickets in advance,
you can call the booking line on 08702 72 73 74 (9am to 9pm) or
book online www.wagandboneshow.co.uk
Previous Years
Click here
to see the official Wag and Bone Show picture library/slideshow
from 2004/05. Here are some of our favourite
shots from 2005
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Have
A Go Agility |
Top
Dog Winner |
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Pup
Idol |
Look-alike |
In aid of charity
And don’t forget that while you are having fun you will
be helping other less fortunate dogs. Seven of the best-known
animal welfare charities provide the manpower for this event and
share the profits.
What to Bring
We have put together a little list of things to remember to bring
with you on the day:
- Entry tickets
- Camping certificate (if you have booked to use the camp site)
- Lunch/snacks and drinks
- Water and water bowl for your dog
- Dog treats
- Pooper bags
- Camera
- Location map (don't get lost)
- Cash (for refreshments and all those goodies)
Wag and Bone Chat
Have you been to this event before or is it your first time? Would
you like to ask others something about the show or share your
experiences of the event?
To chat about the Wag and Bone Show, visit the D for Dog Discussion
Board where we have set up a Wag and Bone Show thread in the
Events, Shows and Outings section of the forum.
|
The
Wag and Bone Show 2006
|
D for Dog reporter Caroline
attended The Wag & Bone Show 2006 and tells us about her experience
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Ken and I arrived at 10am on a beautiful sunny day. We took a picnic
and lots of cold drinks in the coolbox. We didn't have a dog with
us as our dog Cleo is too old.
We went first to watch a display by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
Obviously deaf people can't hear things like an alarm clock ringing,
so the small dogs demonstrated how they are trained to jump on to
the bed and wake the person that way, while the big dogs just put
their paw on the person (thank goodness.) I wouldn't want waking
by a big dog jumping on me first thing in the morning. Among other
things, we also watched the dogs alert their owners to danger by
touching them and then lying flat. Impressive stuff!
|
A
display by
Hearing Dogs for
Deaf People |
We then went and watched how Guide Dogs are trained to avoid obstacles
while leading their trainers around the ring.
|
A
display showing how Guide Dogs are trained to avoid obstacles. |
We watched a display by Search and Rescue dogs, in which they demonstrated
how they find lost people by scenting out two children from the
audience who had hidden behind scenery in the ring.
I sat in the audience for the filming of "It's me or The Dog"
with Victoria Stillwell. It was hilarious being told by the director
to "laugh now, then give a short round of applause". Then
he asked us to look impressed, & give a collective gasp, as
if at something amazing. I struggled with that one as the stage
was empty at the time! Hahaha!
I must admit they probably won't show any of it because quite frankly
when Victoria did start the training with three dogs from the audience
who wouldn't sit when asked, she struggled to get the three owners
to do what she wanted, and their dogs weren't that interested in
the treats by that time.
|
The
filming of "It's me or The Dog" with Victoria
Stillwell |
We then moved over to the fun zone and had a laugh seeing the various
dogs taking part in all the games such as "Close To The Mark"
where dogs win prizes for how close they lie down to a flag - basically
a send-away.
"Temptation Alley" was great, where the public can see
if their dog can resist various titbits and toys lined up on either
side as they make their way to their owner. The biggest cheers went
to the dogs who ignored the owner & gobbled up all the treats.
All dogs won something, if only a consolation prize.
I loved the "Ball Pool" which was basically a rigid pool
of water filled with lots of balls and toys.
The
dogs went in there to try and take a ball or toy from the
water to win a prize. Some dogs wouldn't go near the water,
others stretched across and took a toy, while others went
in and had a good cool down. All of them were distracted
by the sheer number of toys in the water and didn't know
which to pick up. Every dog won a rosette and prize, but
only a consolation prize for some. |
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I enjoyed the "Scurry", where dogs had to do a sort of
obstacle course with lots of jumps and a short tunnel. They were
timed on this, and although every dog won a prize (a rosette and
a toy or treat) a special prize was given to the fastest dog. It
was surprising how desperate lots of owners were that their dogs
did well in these games. Some were practically gritting their teeth
trying to get the dog to do it.
One thing I noticed was how really friendly everyone was, and I
never heard any dogs falling out either. Of course, we had a couple
of announcements about dogs, in one case, puppies - getting distressed
in hot cars.
By
now Ken was hot and tired, and went back to the car for a rest (they
didn't do an announcement about him though, hahaha!). So we had
our picnic then.
Afterwards
I went round taking lots of photos and chatting to people.
Doggy people are generally very good natured, the ones that
go to these sort of events at any rate.
Among
others, I had a chat with a lady in an electric buggy, who
had a black lab with her. She told me her name was Anna
and her dog was called Vogue, and was her Canine Partner.
Anna told me that she is a student at Cheltenham university,
and she is allowed to have Vogue with her there at all times.
Vogue is very popular with all the students, as you can
imagine. Vogue has done her bronze and silver good citizen
test and is taking her gold next week. Best of luck Anna,
if you see this. |
|
There
was far more to the Wag and Bone Show, like the fun dog shows, shiniest
coat, dog most like its owner etc… And I missed the seminars
and the Guiness world record attempt for the most dogs doing a 3
minute sit. I didn't see any heelwork to music or any of the other
displays. The day just went so quickly.
Never
mind - I'll try and see more next year.
Written for D for Dog by Caroline
Chapman
The
Wag and Bone Show is also discussed at the D for Dog forum and you
can read other visitor comments here.
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