A Date for the Doggy Diary!

Calling all daring doggies!  Tatton’s doggy athletics tournament returns on Sunday, August 12, with the annual and ever-popular Fun Dog Show.

With 10 novelty classes, from ‘waggiest tail’ to ‘saddest eyes’, ‘best veteran’ to ‘best rescue’, there’s an opportunity for every dog to strut their stuff.

Special rosettes are awarded for first to sixth places in each class, so few doggies go home empty pawed!

Competitive canines are already clearing space in their kennels for the gleaming ‘Harry Smith Memorial Trophy’ for show champion.

Tatton’s own delightful dog `Kippy the Collie’ is in training for the fun agility course.  This timed event really get tails wagging and features challenging weaving poles, tunnels, jumps and much more.

Farm manager Jayne Chapman said: “Kippy hasn’t been doing enough training this year as she has spent a lot of her time avidly watching the Olympics especially the equestrian events. However we did manage to put her through her paces today and it seems like she may have taken some tips on the jumping side’’

One of the hardest classes to judge and guaranteed to bring out the softest of puppy dog eyes is ‘the dog the judges would most like to take home’. This gets increasingly difficult to decide as the numbers of entries increase each year.

The Fun Dog Show is one of the most popular events of the year and the farm staff’s favourite.  Jayne said: “This is a really enjoyable event in our farm calendar.  Our dogs lap up all the attention and enjoy meeting old friends and making some new chums.”

Fun Dog Show

The Fun Dog Show takes place on Sunday, August 12 from noon.  Park Entry charge of £5 per car applies. Only £1 entry charge per class.   For more information contact reception on 01625 374400 or the farm on 01625 374431.

One Man and his Dog

Our next canine event at the farm is ‘One Man and his Dog’ on Sunday, August 26.  The farm team are thrilled to again be hosting international sheepdog handler and presenter of BBC’s ‘One Man and His Dog’ Gus Dermody.  Gus will be giving two demonstrations with his sheepdogs at 1.30pm and 3pm. £1 per person. Normal park entry charge applies.

Home Farm opening times and prices

The farm is open for high season (until October 28, 2012) Tuesday to Sunday from noon-5pm (last entry 4pm).  The remainder of the year the farm opens weekends 11am – 4pm (last entry 3pm)

Prices for single attraction entry: adult £5.50, child £3.50 (aged four to 15 years of age), family £14.50 (two adults and up to three children).

Totally Tatton Ticket (entry to three attractions: mansion, gardens and farm): Adult £10, child (aged four to 15) £5, family (two adults and up to three children) £25. National Trust members pay 50% entry to the farm.  Park entry charge of £5 per car applies to all.