Wow – over the last weekend, dog lovers from across Australia swarmed to Melbourne to visit the inaugural Dog Lovers Show. It was heaven for every dog lover. After visiting every single one of the hundreds of exhibitors, here are the 5 Top Trends I took away…

INNOVATIVE TREATS

Say goodbye to the common dog treat. With dog owners sniffing out healthy treats, the focus is now on fresh, natural ingredients and innovative recipes – such as Pupcorn, Doggie Donuts and home made muffin kits. Stand out stalls included:

Diamond Dog Food & Bakery (pictured) – With a treat range featuring scores of original recipes, they have something for every dog. Their focus on fresh, natural ingredients is a huge plus.
Barkday Pawty – Creating handmade treats for pets, they also cater for pet parties – handling everything from cakes, treats, decorations and set up.

DESIGNER BEDDING

Portable, washable yet stylish bedding was at the forefront of the show. The trend towards travel beds, removable bed covers, and ergonomic design showed that owners are moving towards adaptable products without forsaking aesthetics. Stand out stalls included:

Dogtired – Launching at Dog Lovers, their lightweight, portable dog beds were truly a highlight featuring form and function.
Hey Pup – These innovators of the washable dog bed sheet cover show no signs of slowing down, introducing new colours into their bed cover range, and expanding into collars and toys.
ID Pet (Pictured) – A new release brand, ID Pet specialises in a product range featuring custom printed dog beds, leads, collars, clothing and toys. With a range of designs and bespoke products available, they’re one to watch.

RESCUE MATCHING

While rescue organistions have been matching the right owners to the right dog for a long time now, the dedicated rescue centre at Dog Lovers was a one-of-a-kind feature allowing Pet Rescue to work alongside breed specific rescue groups – all with the same goal of finding forever homes for rescue dogs. Stand outs included:

Pug Rescue & Adoption Victoria (Pictured) – With their gorgeous faces, and matching pink adoption bandanas, I don’t know how anyone could say no to these guys!
Kays Greys – Focused on finding forever homes for greyhounds, this group highlighted the plight of these gentle dogs exploited by the racing industry.

CREATIVE COLLARS

Decorative collars are exploding in Australia right now, with a focus on fashionable bow ties, special event collars and modern patterns. Stand out stalls included:

Remy & Co – Dedicated to collars alone, Remy and Co are the go-to place for stylish, modern collars made in Australia and abroad. Their range is expansive and has something for every dog.
Dharf (Pictured) – With an array of custom doggie bow ties, collars and bandanas, Dharf uses a range of patterns and designs from classic seersucker to modern neon. They also offer a bespoke service for weddings and special events, so your dog always looks their best.
Kelly and Sam – Another new launch, this boutique range features classic collars in pink, mint and lilac – making them ideal for preppy puppies.

LIFESTYLE TRAINING

Throughout the show, demonstration performances kept the crowds entertained. Lifestyle training shows were easily the most popular, from working dog demonstrations to training lectures, the spotlight was on allowing your dog to use their natural instincts and talents in positive, fun training sessions. Standouts included:

Farmer Dave - Former Big Brother contestant, Dave Graham, showed off how giving your dog a job allows them to use their natural instincts of herding.
The Wonderdogs (Pictured – photo by RoseHip Vital)- Celebrity vet, Dr Katrina Warren and trainer, Kelly Gill, took crowds through the paces of the positive reinforcement training that goes into creating the ‘Wonderdogs’. With take home tips, they highlighted how dog training is all about consistency and fun for your dog.

Did you visit the Dog Lovers Show?
What were your highlights?