About 1,500 people and their four-legged friends turned out at the Shelton Riverwalk for the Trap Falls Kennel Club’s annual Responsible Dog Ownership Day fair.
Kennel Club President Laura Wells said the event has been going on for about six or seven years now, and is held in a different location each year, but features many of the same attractions from year to year.
The event featured obedience contests and doggie dance shows for people who already have dogs, and a “meet the breeds” parade for people who are considering getting a dog, but aren’t sure which breed. In “meeting the breeds,” prospective dog owners could see, interact with and learn about particular dog breeds.
And while their owners mingled, dogs of all shapes and sizes mingled too.
Susan Carter, of Derby, a Trap Falls Kennel Club member, always brings Cosmo, her St. Bernard, and Baley, her Affenpinscher, to the event where they met cocker spaniels, boxers and mastiffs, among other dog breeds.
“It gives the community a chance to see different types of dogs,” she said.
And the dogs got to see different kinds of people too, with a slew of dog-targeted vendors setting up shop at the event. The local animal hospitals, invisible fences and doggie clothing sellers lined up in tents had steady business from two- and four-legged patrons.
Aimee Kent of Woodbury brought her 15-year-old daughter, Olivia, and her 2-year-old Boxer, Matilda, to the event, and was excited to see Matilda interact with so many different dogs.
Matilda was going to take the American Kennel Club’s Good Citizenship Test that day, where her owner hoped she would pass a test that has her follow some basic commands, be polite to both human and canine strangers, and stay still and quiet when commanded to do so.
For dogs that are more advanced in obedience training, there were rally contests and an obstacle course in different parts of the park that allowed dogs to both play and challenge each other.