Lovely Lola Steals the Ultimutt Prize at Sanderson Barkade
8 June 2021
Last weekend the first ever Sanderson Barkade event awarded West Highland Terrier Lola its Best in Show Winner.
The Sanderson Arcade event welcomed pooches of all shapes and sizes for a two-day extravaganza held throughout the Morpeth shopping Arcade.
With an itinerary packed full of market traders, demos and talks, all eyes were on the final Barkade competitions which saw over 40 dogs battling it out in all different categories for the coveted ‘Best in Show’ top prize.
On offer were winners rosettes, goody bags for category winners and a luxury doggy hamper worth over £100 from local business My Pet HQ.
Lottie Thompson, Centre Manager at Sanderson Arcade, said: “After the effects of the last year, we’ve all relied on our furry friends to get us through, which is why we wanted to create an outdoor event to give them a treat and also have a bit of fun.
“As a shopping centre we want to create real memorable experiences for our customers and we really think Sanderson Barkade did just that. A huge congratulations to the lovely Lola who won our Best in Show category, we’ve already invited Lola and her owner back to come and be a judge at our next Barkade event".
Saturday saw a mini market take over the arcade with local dog traders including Evie’s Pupcakes, Teddy’s Place and luxury dog wear from Betty’s Boutique, a pop-up from Sanderson’s Boutique Department Store. In addition to hydration stations situated throughout the Arcade, pooches could also treat themselves to a pawsecco from local business Fizz on the Tyne.
Sunday was a packed morning of talks and demos from local dog traders including: Canine Mechanics specialising in canine massage, Jenny Hunter dog training tips to get your pooch socialising after Covid, Rhian from Content K9 Company doing a demo on nail clipping and Rebecca an adventure dog photographer discussed tips and tricks for getting the perfect photo of your dog!
From 1pm the first ever Sanderson Barkade competitions began and dogs battled it out in categories such as ‘Best Puppy’, ‘Golden Oldie’, ‘Owner most like their Dog’, ‘Best Dressed’ and the ‘Skill Triathlon’ which saw pups show off their waggy tails, sitting skills and pawshakes.
Each category and set of participants were brought on to the grass to show their stuff. First category up was ‘Owner Most Like Their Dog’ winner was Rachel with her Hungarian Vizsla Freya: ‘Both sassy redheads’.
Second category was Golden Oldie which saw the crowd introduced to a range of elderly pooches. The winner was giving to Macy a 13 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who is ‘completely deaf and missing a few teeth but is still young at heart and the best companion’.
The hotly contested Best Puppy round was next and the most entered with over 18 entries including a tiny 18 week old Dachshund called Alan. The judges really deliberated on this category and decided on Doris with owner Jenna.
Fancy Dress was next and was crowned to Keely Jukes with her 13 year old West Highland Terrier Lola dressed up as Carol Baskin and Tiger King. Keely and Lola also hoped to get trending the hashtag #makemorpethexoticagain.
The pup triathlon was really the category that the pooches had to work for with the judges looking for three key things: Waggiest Tail, Quickest Sit and Solid Pawshake. Our winner was a last-minute entry from Lydia with dog Mabel.
Best Rescue category had the whole crowd weeping as we heard stories of neglect and rehoming. Our winner was a Romanian rescue called Lucy with Owner Hazel.
Barkade's overall best in show was selected from all the category winners and was given to Keely Jukes with her 13 year old Lola a West Highland Terrier (Fancy Dress Winners).
Keely last summer noticed Lola struggled more and more whilst they were out and about which is what led Keely to purchase her a dog stroller. The dog stroller was gifted to Terrier Lola on her 13th birthday and has allowed them both to continue enjoying being out and about together. Lola has even been to London in her 'woof wheels' for a trip to Buckingham Palace and 5 * Doggy Afternoon Tea at a hotel in Knightsbridge.
“We are so delighted Lola was the first ever winner of the Barkade competition and that as a result of Lola winning people will rethink the need to say a negative comment when they next see a pet owner with a dog in a stroller” said Keely Jukes.
The reserve best in show was handed to another ‘Golden Oldie’, Macy with owner Abigail.
The event was judged by Pets at Home, hosted by Matt Bailey and photographed by Rebecca Ashworth Earl. Our best in show winner hamper was donated by My Pet HQ.
For more information on the event and other activities at Sanderson Arcade head to www.sandersonarcade.co.uk
Full List of 1st Place Winners is below
Owner Most Like Their Dog
1st Place: Freya with Owner Rachel
Golden Oldie
1st Place: Macy with Owner Abigail
Best Puppy
1st Place: Doris with Owner Jenna
Fancy Dress
1st Place: Lola dressed up as Tiger King & Owner Keely Dressed up as Carol Baskin
Pup Triathlon
1st Place: Mabel with Owner Lydia
Best Rescue
1st Place: Lucy with Owner Hazel
Overall Best in Show: Lola and Owner Keely
Reserve Best in Show: Macy with Owner Abigail
For further information, contact:-
Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: admin@dransfield.co.uk
