Puppy Love: Valentine's Day event to find Hartlepool's top dogs

(left to right) Nikita Byers with Sonny, David Shaw with Pedro, Michelle Stonehouse and Jo Banks with Penny. Picture by FRANK REID

Obedience group Dog Positive is holding the family-friendly Puppy Love show on Sunday, February 14.

Pet pooches can enter a variety of categories to find the dog with the waggiest tail, best groomed and those that look most like their owners.

Prizes will also be awarded for the most handsome and prettiest dogs, best ball catcher, best trick and best fancy dress.

The fun takes place at Hartlepool Scout Hut, Brierton Lane, at 2pm.

Dog Positive is run by Hartlepool’s own dog whisperer Dave Shaw who in his 30 years as a trainer has judged at Crufts and his dogs have appeared in TV adverts and on Britain’s Got Talent.

He is assisted by Jo Banks who said: “This is an annual event but this year is a bit different. We have got about £500 worth of raffle prizes donated kindly by local businesses.

“Dog lovers should come because it’s fun. It’s great to see families enjoying the day.”

It costs £5 to enter your dog into all categories which will be judged by a panel made up of Dave Shaw, Hartlepool Mayor Councillor Mary Fleet and local bull dog expert Michelle Stonehouse.

There will also be a number of dog related stalls and all money raised on the day will go towards new agility equipment for the obedience classes.

The group’s next series of classes start on Sunday, February 7.

Dog Positive has also recently been visiting a number of primary schools in town giving presentations on how children should act around dogs.