One lucky canine may find fame at the fifth annual Woofminster Amateur Dog Show on Saturday. The unique party, complete with musical dog beds and a doggie limbo event, is hosted by the Planet Dog Foundation at Camp Ketcha in Scarborough.

And though all the competitions at the show are for fun, one could lead to a professional photo shoot and a spot on the cover of the next Planet Dog catalog.

All are welcome to the Woofminster, with or without a canine companion.

“We do quite a few events (throughout the year) and generally have amazing results. People bring dogs that are friendly and well behaved. People know if they have a dog that isn’t comfortable in crowded situations, they leave them at home,” said Kristen Smith, executive director of the Planet Dog Foundation and organizer of the event.

Those in the know are aware that the doggie limbo — complete with limbo music and categories for both large and small dogs — is the event you do not want to miss.

“How low can all these dogs go? It is hilarious,” said Smith.

Musical dog beds, another of the games at the Woofminster, involves dogs walking around in a circle until the music stops, when owners prompt their pets to sit on a nearby dog bed.

Smith explains how this event has changed a bit from last year.

“Last year we used hula hoops and people were able to get their dogs to sit down inside them. This year we’re using dog beds because we think that will work even better.”

Pups that aren’t quite old enough to follow the commands of the structured events can be in a special Puppy Parade and Puppy Petting Booth. Costumes are encouraged for the parade.

Canine-human teams with a bit more competitive spirit can enter the Cover Dog Challenge.

“We have a stage and celebrity judges that judge all the tricks. (The team) performs their trick and the judges — and audience — vote on who has the best trick, happiest dog and best beggar.”

And let’s not overlook the best mystery mutt category. According to the event’s press release, that entails “the strangest combination, hardest to determine and most unusual mix. A Newfie/daschund combo?”

Celebrity judges this year include Eva Matteson and Joe Armond from WMGX radio, Jeff Peterson from WGME-TV, Kathleen Fleury from Downeast Magazine, Shannon Bryan from MaineToday Media and Christine Palmer from Downeast Dog News.

“We do this all for fun. The winners from the (judged) categories go on for the grand prize — the Best in Show,” Smith said. That winner gets the photo shoot and a chance to be a cover dog.

But all the fun and games do have a higher purpose.

“We encourage dogs and dog lovers to join us for a fun day and help raise money for service dogs in Maine,” Smith said.

And she confirms what past attendees already know about this annual event’s fun factor: “Win or lose, everybody has a great time.”

Staff Writer Wendy Almeida can be contacted at 791-6334 or at:

wea@mainetoday.com

 

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