Paws 4 Fort Dog Show & Business Awards
Paws 4 Fort Dog Show & Business Awards
Our favourite event of the year is back!
In partnership with Love Dogs West Dorset, we are pleased to announce Paws 4 Fort Family Fun Dog Show & Dogs Welcome Business Awards 2025! 
We have a whole day of doggy delights, featuring:
Dog-friendly stalls with treats for all the family
Family Fun Dog Show
A display from Guide Dogs for the Blind West Dorset
Announcing the Winners of the 2025 Dogs Welcome Business Awards
Family Fun Dog Show
Enter your dog in our Dog Show for a chance to win prizes! £2 Entry for first category entered, and £1 Entry for subsequent categories entered – pay on the day. Registration will start at 11am.
Dog Show Judging Categories:
Waggiest Tail
Golden Oldie
Fun Trick
Cutest Puppy (up to 1 year)
Assistance Dog
Young Handler
Beautiful Eyes
Rescue/Rehomed Dog
And the final category…
The Winner of each category will be automatically entered into the final category:
The Dog the Judge would like to Take Home!
Prizes for winners donated by local businesses, who are kindly supporting this event. Thank you to Dorwest Herbs, Hewlett’s Pet & Country Store, Bertie and Wilf Pet Care Services – Weymouth, and Lead On Dog Shop for donating the prizes.
(Rosettes and certificates for 1st – 4th place) and special prizes for First Place.
Nominate a local Business for a Dogs Welcome Business Award!
Your vote could give a business from anywhere in Weymouth, Portland, Littlemoor, Chickerell, or Upwey the chance to win a Dogs Welcome Business Award, which will be presented at the Paws 4 Fort Dog Show & Awards event at the Nothe Fort on Sunday 7th September 2025.
The categories for the Dogs Welcome Business Awards are as follows:
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Best Dogs Welcome Hospitality
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Best Dogs Welcome Service Provider
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Best Dogs Welcome Retail Shop
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Best Dogs Welcome Visitor Centre
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Best Dogs Welcome Parks, Gardens, and Open Spaces
VOTE FOR THE FINALISTS here: Dogs Welcome Finalists
This round of Finale Voting will decide the 2025 Award Winners. Voting to close on Thursday 21st August 2025.
Winners will be announced at the Paws 4 Fort Dog Show and Awards on Sunday 7th September 2025.
Good luck to all our finalists!
Businesses may nominate themselves.
Schedule
10.30am – Doors open to the public
10.45am – Welcome address from Callum Bremner, High Sheriff of Dorset, and his VIP dog Maya to open the event.
10.45am – Presentation of 2025 Dogs Welcome Business Awards.
11.00am – Registration open, (no longer necessary to register 30 minutes before each class)
11.05 am – Guide Dogs for the Blind Dogs demonstration
11.30am – Meet VIPs parade.
11.40am – Find out more about 3 Poodle Brothers Roger, Rafa and Andy Therapy Dogs
12.00 pm Fun Dog Show starts with:
Waggiest Tail
- Cutest Puppy up to 1yr
- Golden Oldie’s from 7 years
- Fun Trick
- Assistance Dog
- Beautiful Eyes
- Young Handler
- Rescue or Rehomed dog
Dog show ends at 4pm
Our Sponsors
Love Dogs West Dorset – Awards Sponsor
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please get in touch with Linda from Love Dogs West Dorset: 07368 183315
About the Event Venue
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What3Words Location: dogs.claim.nest
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Parking: Audience parking is available outside the fort at Nothe Car Park (What3Words: mixed.stuck.serve)
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Seating Provided: There is seating around the Fort and in the Café
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Food and Drink: The onsite café will be open. Picnics allowed in designated picnic areas.
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Dogs: Very Welcome! With our joint commitment to reducing carbon footprint, we encourage our dog-owning visitors to park in the old council office car park and use the footpath in Brewery Square to walk their dogs to Nothe Fort.
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Wheelchair User Access: The venue is wheelchair accessible and has a lift to three floors. If you have any access requirements before your visit, please contact Nothe Fort ahead of your visit (01305 766626).
This event is covered by your Annual Pass/General Admission ticket price.
Entry to the Dog Show judging categories: £2 Entry for first category entered, and £1 Entry for subsequent categories entered – pay on the day.
