Hey there, fellow dog lovers! My name is Steph, and I’m the proud human of the one and only Storm – the fabulous Poodle extraordinaire behind @storms_travelling_tails on Instagram. And today, we’re here to share with you what we absolutely LOVE about Dogstival.
Dogstival is the ultimate paw-ty for pups and their humans! This two-day event, takes place annually, and this year you can find it at Broadlands Estate, Romsey on 3rd-4th June.
Every year, we make the epic journey all the way from Angus, Scotland to Southhampton for one very important event: Dogstival. I can hear you already, “What?! You drove all that way for a dog event? Are you off your rocker?” Well, maybe just a little bit. But hey, when it comes to having a tail-wagging good time, we spare no expense. And let me tell you, Dogstival is worth every single mile we put on our car (and trust me, there are a lot of them). We first went in 2021, thinking it was a one-off thing, but boy were we wrong. It was so much fun that we’ve been back every year since.
So what do we get up to at this tail-wagging event? Join us as we share our experiences, complete with plenty of adorable photos and fun stories along the way. Get ready to wag your tail and let’s dive into the excitement of Dogstival!
Puppacino Fix
When we pull up to Dogstival, we know exactly where to head first: Pop & Bark. It’s not for us humans, no, it’s all for our beloved pooch, Storm. She’s a bit of a diva, you see, and can’t start her day without her puppiccino fix. Pop & Bark offer a range of flavours, but Storm likes hers plain – no frills, just the good stuff. And let me tell you, she takes her puppiccino very seriously. Last year, Pop & Bark had these souvenir cups that were too cute to resist. Of course, we snagged one up for ourselves so that Storm can enjoy her puppiccinos at home. It’s now become a staple in our morning routine – forget coffee, it’s all about the puppiccinos. So, if you see us walking around with our fancy Pop & Bark cup, you know Storm is in full diva mode and living her best life at Dogstival.
Hanging Out at the Muddy Paws Tavern
After a delicious puppacino to kickstart our day, my human and I love to strut our stuff over to The Muddy Paws Tavern to catch up with all of our fur-iends at Dog Furiendly. Let me tell you, the attention I get there is like a red carpet event – I’m practically famous!
Once we’ve mingled and had a few sniffs, we check out the various activities happening at the Tavern. There’s always the good old pup quiz, perfect for showing off my impressive doggy knowledge.
But let’s not forget about all the social media action! As an insta-famous pup, I always make sure to check out the chalk boards where we can write our insta handles and follow other cool dogs.
Plus, there’s even a meet-up for Insta and TikTok dogs, where you can meet some of your favourite influencer pups. But the highlight of my day has to be watching Dan the Hat, one of the talented acts at Dogstival. I mean, who doesn’t love a good show?
Strutting Our Stuff
Usually by this time at Dogstival, we’re getting ready to strut our stuff in the fun dog show ring. I mean, who doesn’t want a chance to show off their furry bestie and maybe win a prize or two? Of course, it’s an extra cost, but hey, it’s worth every penny. And trust me, it’s not just about the competition – it’s the chance to rock some seriously fetching outfits. Last year’s theme was Jubilee outfits, and being proud Scots, we had to don our finest tartan. And guess what? Our poodle pal Storm took home first place! This year, the theme is Festival Fever, and let’s just say, we have something pretty special planned.
Drooling For Food
Let me tell you, when Storm and I hit up Dogstival, we go hard! By the time we’re done with all that excitement, we’re usually starving. And let me tell you, the food options at Dogstival are enough to make any pup drool. From Greek food to BBQ to Indian cuisine, there’s no shortage of delicious treats to choose from. And don’t even get me started on the stands that have offerings for the dogs themselves. I mean, come on, who doesn’t love a good doggy pizza? Last year they threw a tea party for the dogs last year for the Jubilee, Storm was all over it. I never thought I’d see the day when she would devour an afternoon tea (as she’s such a fussy eater), but there she was, savouring every last bite. So, if you want to treat your taste buds (and your pup’s too!), Dogstival is the place to be.
Main Arena, Fun & Games
Alright, folks, it’s time for the main event of the day – the big show at the main arena! We usually try to check the program beforehand to see what tickles our fancy, but honestly, at this point, we just need a wee rest and a chance to let our lunch settle. And let’s not forget about Storm, our beloved poodle. She’s usually in need of a good rest too, bless her fluffy little paws.
Once Storm has had a chance to recharge, it’s time for some have-a-go activities and Barkour! And let me tell you, there’s no shortage of fun to be had. From flyball to agility to gun dog scurry, there’s something for every canine athlete. And for those who love making a splash, there’s a massive dock dive pool that’s always a hit (although, it does come at an extra cost). We’ve got to admit, even though Storm is a bit of a land-lover, it’s still fun to watch the diving dogs in action.
Shop Until You Drop
Alright, let’s talk shopping – or should I say, the main event! As much as we love sniffing around the festival during the day, we always save the buying for last. Who wants to lug around bags of treats and toys all day? Not us, that’s for sure! And let me tell you, the shopping at Dogstival is pawsome. There are always tons of amazing deals and unique finds that you won’t see at your average dog event. Plus, we love supporting small businesses and discovering new treasures for our furry friend.
Don’t forget to bring your camera, because there are tons of fun photo ops at the stalls too!
And if you’re looking for a little pick-me-up, we highly recommend trying the toffee vodka. It’s a real tail-wagger, let me tell you! So, grab your wallets and get ready to shop ’til you drop (or until the car is completely full, whichever comes first).
Our Love for Dogstival Knows No Bounds!
Usually by the end of the weekend we look a little like this…
But it doesn’t stop us buying tickets for the following year. Dogstival is one incredible event, if I do say so myself, and it’s not just for the dogs. The atmosphere, the food, the activities, and most of all, the incredible sense of community amongst dog lovers from all over the country, make it an unmissable event. If you’re thinking about attending Dogstival, we highly recommend it. It’s a fantastic day out for both you and your furry friend, and we guarantee it’ll be worth the journey – no matter how far you have to travel!
Grab Your Tickets
Our annual trip to Dogstival is something we look forward to every year, and we hope we’ve convinced you to join in on the fun. From exciting activities to delicious treats, it’s the perfect event for all dog-lovers and their furry friends. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your tickets now and get ready for a tail-wagging good time. Trust us, you won’t regret it.
Visit dogstival.co.uk for more information and to purchase tickets. We can’t wait to see you there!
