Canterbury Park Calls The Dogs: Registration opens for popular summer dog races

Canterbury Park will open registration Saturday morning for its popular summer dog races. Known locally and nationally for horse racing, the Shakopee, Minn. racetrack introduced wiener dog races as an entertainment feature more than two decades ago and has since added four more distinct breeds as the popularity grew. The list now includes the original wiener dogs as well as corgis, bulldogs, basset hounds and miniature doodles.

Each of the ‘dog days’ features 72 dogs competing in six heats held between horse races. Top dogs from each heat are invited to return for the Best In Show races. While there are trophies for the winners, the real prize for the owners comes when each dog is introduced to the cheers of several thousand fans. The dogs race about 50 yards in front of a packed grandstand and track apron as race caller Paul Allen describes the action.

“It really is a spectacle that became incredibly popular with fans and dog owners,” assistant manager of entertainment Amanda Wetzel said. “Many of the owners try to return with their pets each year. A real community of owners has developed. Some of the dogs have even attracted fan clubs of their own. Win or lose, the owners are just so proud of their dogs.”

Interested dog owners may register their dogs on Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. at www.canterburypark.com  and are encouraged to act early as the races can fill quickly and require a lottery to determine the canine invitees. There is no fee to participate.

Dog Race Dates

Sunday, May 25 – Bulldogs

Sunday, June 22 – Basset Hounds

Friday, July 4 – Wiener Dogs

Sunday, August 3 – Toy & Miniature Doodles

Sunday, August 17– Corgis

Sunday, August 31 – Best In Show Dog Races

The post Canterbury Park Calls The Dogs: Registration opens for popular summer dog races appeared first on Canterbury Park.