Skip to main content

The Great Nundle Dog Race 2017 - May 7

The 2017 Great Nundle Dog Race is on Sunday 7th May and is probably the only race in the country where competitors might stop off for a sniff, a scratch or a toilet break!

This annual event held near Tamworth (NSW) is a great day out in the country attracting families and their dogs from the local region as well as the Hunter, Sydney and North Coast.

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY...

The very first dog race at Nundle was held in 1979 after a bet was waged by a couple of farmers arguing over whose dog was fastest. The race began at the Peel River and ended at the local pub, The Peel Inn, a distance of about 150m. Both farmers lost their bets however, as the race was won by a dog called Kelly, owned by the caravan park caretaker!

The farmers took the race idea further and turned it into The Great Nundle Dog Race (GNDR) open to working dogs. The race nowadays involves over twenty races for all types of dogs and is one of Nundle's major annual tourist events.

Nundle Public School is a small school and is relatively isolated being 65km from Tamworth, the nearest major centre. The money raised at the event is used to subsidise excursions for students and purchase educational equipment.

THE GREAT NUNDLE DOG RACE

There are many races to enter (and great prizes to be won) such as the House Dog Races, Mongrel Invitation Stakes and Juvenile Canine Mini Stakes. If your dog can jump onto the back of a ute, there is the Doggy High Jump, or if he loves to chase then you might try him in Stumpy’s Circular Dog Derby.

The main event is of course The Great Nundle Dog Race, which is open to bona fide working dogs only. District graziers and station hands pit their pride and joy working dogs against each other to keep the tradition alive of finding the fastest dog. Of course, these days it’s all about keeping the dog on track to run the hundred metre sprint, and those dogs that are both fast and well-trained usually make it to the end!

As a spectator, watching the races is great entertainment. Each dog lines up for the race being held by a “handler” until the starter drops the red flag. Meanwhile, the “catcher” who is usually the owner, has been holding the dog’s attention from the finish line 100 metres away. 

This is a vital component of race success and is usually achieved by walking backwards from the dog to the finish line without losing eye contact. At the call of the starter the handler frees the dog and the catcher starts yelling and whistling to make the dog run to the finish line. 

Absolute mayhem is the result while the freed dogs try to work out where to run. Some dogs run off barking to chase a friend, others turn their heads while running with a gleeful look in their eye as if to say, “Come on, let’s play!” Some don’t care for what’s going on and make a dash for safety on the side line, or look confused and run back towards the start!

Those who do happen to run in the right direction might make it to the end of the race, and the first dog to cross the finish line, “irrespective of the route taken or the fights entered into”, is the winner.

The Steeplechase event is very popular. This involves dogs running over a series of hay bales on a shorter course towards their owners who are yelling and shouting at them to “Come 'ere!”

Canine versions of spiders, Cleopatra, Superman and other amazing costumes appear in the Best Dressed Dog Fashion Parade.

Greyhounds and Whippets are not forgotten with special races for only these breeds. To be fair to the common house dog, they are not allowed to enter any other race, but there are still plenty of other events for them to take part in!

CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES


A good race for the kids to enter with their dog is the first race of the day at 10:30am, the Junior Dog on a Leash

Kids hold their dogs on the lead and line up at the start to run as fast as they can to the end with their dog. 

This is followed by the children’s running races and sack races. Other entertainment on the ground and in the school grounds includes a jumping castle, face painting, balloons, show bags and lucky dips to keep them amused all day.


PRIZES

Every event has great prizes for first, second and third which have been donated by local and regional business houses. Most first place prizes include a bag of dog food. A raffle is drawn at the end of the day with great holiday and accommodation prizes.

When: Sunday 7th May 2017, from 10:30am

Where: Nundle Recreation Ground (65km south-east of Tamworth in north-west NSW)

Cost: Free to attend. Gold cost donation to gain entry to the race

For more information, please visit nundle.com.au

Popular posts from this blog

Sporn Marrow Chew Bone

The Sporn Marrow Chew Bone (originally called the Yuppie Puppy ) is a jerky-flavour filled chewable nylon bone, which promises to control tartar and plaque, assisting with your dog's dental health. After putting it to the test for a number of years with our three Belgian Shepherds, we can attest that it is great for the toughest of chewers and may even save some of your furniture or shoes. Especially recommended during the puppy phase, when your dog is constantly teething and needs something to chew. Chewing this bone is similar to brushing their teeth. As the nylon shreds, it becomes like bristles, removing tartar and plaque build-up from the teeth. These interactive dental chew toys are unique to most other flavoured nylon bones as the marrow is added after the bone has been moulded and cooled. After trialling other brands on the market, we found that the marrow makes the difference and keeps our dogs coming back for more. Our dogs can surely smell it long before they can t...

Made Easy Family Car Travel with Dog Car Travel

To make dog car travel easy get your dog used to riding in the car by taking him on short trips to start. If you get your dog as a puppy and anticipate it going in the car with you at all, start taking the dog with you in the car early in its life so he recognizes this as routine. The earlier a dog begins riding in the car, the faster they will learn how to behave on a trip. Some dogs get car sickness. If your dog is one who experiences this talk to your vet. Like medications that can help people avoid getting sick in the car, there are medications to help dogs with this situation. If your dog is very upset, very sick or very nervous while riding in the car you will want to travel with your dog as little as possible. The safest method to transport your dog is in a pet crate. Also available are harnesses and seat belts to secure your dog while traveling, but most dog owners train the dog to sit on a seat and ride. Your dog may move from seat to seat, but do not e...

Buy Esky® Rechargable LCD Remote Control Dog Training Shock Collar with 100 Level Shock and Vibration

When you need for Esky® Rechargable LCD Remote Control Dog Training Shock Collar with 100 Level Shock and Vibration take a look at our review to obtain the ideal products you prefer. You can check the detail information all of about this product below. Provides a professional 100 level shock and 100 level Vibration with Rechargeable LCD digital remote control electric training Collar Rechargeable LCD digital remote control electric training collar. Remote control electric shock devices This is a Esky branded product. Any unauthorized imitation of our product is prohibited by US law. Convenience of easy-to-read LCD screen shows the stimulation level. Over 3,000 different identity codes to prevent conflicts with other e-collars. The system can be used for 1 or 2 receivers.(the additional receiver must be the same type as your previous one and purchased from us) Esky® - Sky of Electronics Main Features - 100 levels of vibration & static - Rechagable Collar and Remote - LCD display...