Fun in the sun at Goodwoof

Goodwoof 2023 presented by MARS Petcare, kicked off in celebratory style as over 300 poodles proudly stepped out behind a marching band resplendent in red coats in the morning sunshine. This year’s celebration of the poodle reflects the Duke of Richmond’s fond memories of his grandmother’s black standard poodle, Bruno.

And that was just the beginning of the fun as dogs of all shapes, sizes and colours spilled onto the grass straining at their leads to sniff out all the Have-a-Go activities, demonstrations, expert talks, and cooling dips in Fido’s Lido presented by Leaps and Bounds.

The weekend weather is set to maximum sunshine with a cooling breeze keeping all of our four and two legged visitors very happy, but that temperature was cranked up to the max as Love Island’s Curtis Pritchard took to the stage at the new Ministry of Hound dancefloor. Curtis showed the crowd how to execute the perfect moves to some of the iconic club’s most well-known sounds.

In the MARS Wellness Centre, TV Vet Scott Miller hosted a wealth of experts giving free talks on puppy care, First Aid for dogs, choosing the perfect breed and special care for older dogs. At The Studio presented by Randox Health, dogs and their owners took a breather as they joined in with dog and human yoga – doga – a spot of reiki, meditation and blissful sound bathing.

Charity partner, Pets As Therapy, together with ambassador and actor Guy Henry, best known for his roles in Holby City, Harry Potter, Star Wars and Queen Charlotte, offered a special cuddle corner as well as the chance to learn more about the charity’s work in schools, hospitals, care homes, hospices and prisons. Nearby, picknickers at the stylish Fortnum and Mason lunch spot tucked into delicious summer themed food perfect for an early summer lunch, whilst enjoying a great view of top gun and sheep dogs being put through their paces.

Over at Barkitecture presented by Mastercard, visitors viewed the array of kennels designed by internationally renowned architects such as Foster + Partners and Sebastian Conran of Conran & Partners in collaboration with Beta Design. The brief was to design the perfect retreat for a dog in the office and the architects, including Junior Barkitecture winner, Florence Dale aged 9, didn’t disappoint. All of the kennels will go under the hammer on Sunday in a special Bonham’s Auction in aid of Pets As Therapy. Also available for bidding on Sunday is a special, one of a kind, illustrated Babboe bike, courtesy of James Middleton and Oscar winning author and illustrator, Charlie Mackesy, creator of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse.

With Snoopy overseeing proceedings from the heart of Goodwoof, the pianist at the Taittinger Champagne bar adding to the music wafting from the two bandstands, the shops – including our very own bookshop bustling with browsers – Literary Corner providing a shady spot to relax and listen to tales of canine exploits read by well-known voices such as Clare Balding, Murray Lachlan Young and children’s author, Tracey Corderoy and plenty for the whole family to do and see, Goodwoof was the place to be.

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