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Ruff news: Port Jefferson will host its first-ever festival dedicated to dogs

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The Port Paws Dog Festival in Port Jefferson Village on July 23 and 24 will mark the first time in village history that Port Jefferson hosts a festival that’s all about the pooches.

The event is will celebrate dog ownership and showcase registered canine competitors in a Dog Docks aquatic competition.

Taking place off the west side of Port Jefferson Village on the Joe Erland field on Caroline Avenue, Dog Docks plans to put on three competitions: the Big Air Wave, Extreme Vertical and Speed Retrieve for both dogs and spectators to enjoy.

Big Air Wave features a 40-foot dock for dogs to run down and the objective is for them to chase after an object, and then dive off the dock into a pool of water.

The dogs will be electronically judged based on the length of their jump.

The Extreme Vertical competition is a “high jump” for the pups, as they are tasked with trying to snag a “bumper” that is suspended in the air. Each time the dog attempts to grab the bumper, the height increases by two inches. The game continues until one dog is crowned the winner.

Speed Retrieve is Dog Docks’s newest form of competition and is a bit like a mini doggy triathlon.

The dogs are timed to see how fast they can run down the dock, jump into the water and swim to the end of the pool to retrieve an object held by a modified extender arm.

All dogs, aquatic and non-aquatic, are encouraged to join in on the fun.

Vendors also include the Dogloversdays Lure Course where dogs can chase a mechanically operated lure around a track.

The two-day event runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. The presenting sponsor is King O’Rourke Auto Group Smithtown. Other sponsors include the Village of Port Jefferson and Fedora Lounge Hair Salon and, among others. Click here to see all the sponsors.

All proceeds benefit the Port Jefferson Harbor Education and Arts Conservancy, the event’s organizer.

Registration for competitors is open. Click here to find out more.

Check out the promotional video below for The Port Paws Dog Festival in Port Jefferson Village.

Top photo: Facebook

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