Dug Up at Dogster: February 2020 Dog Events and Premieres

Show your devotion to your furry pal by making a date with him or her to one of these great February 2020 dog events or premieres. Don’t see your dog event or premiere in our February 2020 dog event list? Just email us your dog show information at dogstermag@belvoir.com.

February Monthly Dog Holiday Observances:

Pet Dental Health Month

Responsible Pet Owners Month

February 5, 2020: American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Red Dress Collection

Fashion, entertainment and philanthropy collide to shine a light on women’s heart health at this iconic event. Expect Westminster’s 2019 Best in Show winner Wire Fox Terrier King to make his runway debut to showcase the vital role dogs play in our lives and for our hearts. American actress, TV Host, model and beauty pageant titleholder Rachel Smith will be taking the runway with King. Watch the event live! Go to goredforwomen.org for full details.

February 7, 2020 — February 14, 2020: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week

Thousands of dogs spend their lives chained outside, coping with loneliness and the elements. To help change this, nonprofit organization Dogs Deserve Better sponsors Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week. With the help of volunteers, the organization sends thousands of homemade valentines to people with chained dogs. The goal? To gently educate them about the cruelty of keeping a dog chained up and to convince them to bring their dogs indoors or find them new homes. Learn more at dogsdeservebetter.org

February 9, 2020: DWAA Dog Writers Event & Banquet

Write this up! The Dog Writers Association of America is holding its annual event and awards banquet in Secaucus, NJ. The event and dinner, held on the eve of the Westminster Dog Show each year, offers members and non-members the chance to network, exchange business cards and celebrate a year of publishing in the dog world. This year, the two keynote speakers are Anne Serling, daughter of Rod Serling, and Larry Woodward, the lead editor of Dogwise Publishing. Check out dogwriters.org.

Wire Fox Terrier named King won Best in show during 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Medison Square Garden Credit: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/Alamy Live News

February 10, 2020 — February 11, 2020: 144th Annual Westminster Dog Show

A new year brings new excitement as this year’s Westminster features the brand-new American Kennel Club breed the Azawakh, an African sighthound, participating in the event. Another first will be the inclusion of retired Naval officer Robert H. Slay of Cary, NC, as Best In Show judge. Slay served as a judge for the Herding and Working Groups at previous Westminster shows. On the Saturday before the show, the 7th Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster will be held, along with the 5th Annual Masters Obedience Championship at Westminster. For details, visit westminsterkennelclub.org.

February 16 and 17, 2020: Hallmark’s 2020 American Rescue Dog Show

As part of Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After the initiative, this show shows the benefits of rescuing your next pet to clear the shelters once and for all. Hosted by Rebecca Romijn and Ross Matthews with Kristin Chenoweth as one of the judges. Airs at 8 p.m. on both nights. See a preview here.

Chihuahua dog in costume for the Barkus dog parade. New Orleans, LA, USA. © Ninette Maumus/Alamy Photo

February 16, 2020: Mystic Krewe of Barkus Parade

Wag those tails, it’s Mardi Gras time, and the nonprofit Mystic Krewe of Barkus is holding its annual parade in New Orleans. Unlike other Mardi Gras parades, the Mystic Krewe of Barkus parade focuses exclusively on dogs. Canine participants walk through the streets of the French Quarter with their human escorts, dressed in their Mardi Gras finest. A king, queen, grand duchess, grand marshal, grand duke and other royal titles are awarded to parade participants. A Barkus Royal Ball for humans follows the parade. Times and more at barkus.org.

February 21, 2020: 7^th Annual Tunes for TARA Benefit

It’s all happening at the Muehlebach Suite inside Boulevard Brewing Company, from 6 to 10 p.m., where guests will be entertained by the musical talents of Landrush and The Heather Newman Band. Tickets available online or at the door and include live music, food, wine, Boulevard beer, silent auction number, raffle ticket and a doggie bag filled with goodies (including a commemorative pint glass). Tunes for TARA is a 21 and over event. Hosted by the The Animal Rescue Alliance. https://www.tarasdream.org

February 22, 2020: Walking the Dog Day

If dogs could name their favorite holiday, this would probably be it. National Walking the Dog Day encourages dogs and their humans to go outside and get some exercise. Celebrate the day by taking your dog on a new route, bringing a special treat along on your walk, taking a friend and her dog with you. It’s no accident this holiday falls in the wintertime when dog walking slows to a crawl because of cold weather. Bundle yourself up, put a sweater on your pooch, and get out into the sun.

February 23, 2020: Boreas Trail Adventure

Take on the challenging but fun trails of Bristol Woods in Bristol Woods County Park, Bristol, Wisconsin. The 3-mile looped course consists of single track trails and wide groomed paths that lead you and your dog on an adventure through this 197-acre park. This event is part of the 2019/20 CaniCross Event Series. Canicross Athletes will run a timed 3-mile (approximate) loop. There will be an option to run more loops should you and your pup desire. CaniCross athletes start at 10:20 a.m., which is 10 minutes before the runners/walkers (runners/walkers start at 10:30 a.m.). After you are done, enjoy warm food and warmer company around a bonfire. Please BYO dessert to share. This event is perfect for all fitness levels and is dog-friendly for those not interested in participating in the CaniCross Event. For all CaniCross event information, please visit www.TrailDogRunners.com.

February 26, 2020 — February 28, 2020: Global Pet Expo

Created a pet product or opened your own pet store? Then Orlando, FL, the site of this year’s Global Pet Expo, is where you want to be. Pet product manufacturers and retailers gather at the expo annually to explore the latest pet product offerings. Sponsored by the American Pet Products Association and the Pet Industry Distributors Association, the expo is open to independent retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers and other pet professionals only. The show features more than 1,000 pet companies from around the world. More than 3,000 new product launches are expected at this year’s event. Event highlights at globalpetexpo.org.

Top Photo: ©kzenon/Getty Images

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