Dog Days of Summer, celebrated in Libertyville, IL, is in its 9th year. Photo by Marielle Shaw
Dog owners and their canine companions rule at Dog Days of Summer in Liberytville.
Dock Dogs includes speed retrieve sections like this one, and Big Air competitions. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
A brittany spaniel competes in the speed retrieve regional finals during Dog Days of Summer in Libertyville. Photos by Marielle Shaw.
Dogs, owners and rescue groups meet up in Cook Park for Dog Days of Summer. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Dog Days of Summer, Libertyville. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
A Pup Parade went through the park as part of the Dog Days of Summer. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
The Pup parade ended in an ice cream social for dogs and their people. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
The pup parade proceeds through Cook Park in Libertyville. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Puppies on display were up for adoption during Dog Days. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Puppies were everywhere at dog days. Many were available from rescue groups. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Dogs compete during speed retrieve Sunday. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Dogs swim to a special toy attached to a sensor during speed retrieve. Sunday was regional finals for these canine swimmers.
Dog athletes can be any breed in Dockdogs competitions. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
One of the speed retrieve contenders during the Dock Dogs regional finals. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
A Bassett hound takes a break after the festivities at Dog Days of Summer in Libertyville. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Diesel the dog helps other dogs find homes. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
A sweet little lady all dressed up and ready for adoption at Dog Days. Photo by Marielle.
A sweet puppy up for adoption gets a few pats while she naps. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
A beautiful Australian Shepherd named Nitro out for the Australian Shepherd Rescue Mission. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Nitro gets a treat. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
A very young heeler at Dog Days of Summer. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
An absolutely sweet pitty mix up for adoption. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Everyone's happy at Dog Days. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Volunteers from Our House of Hope Rescue with some of their best friends. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Speed retrieve dogs race for their toys. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
A yellow lab dives for her speed retrieve. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
She gets her prize. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Dogs appear to walk on water during dock diving competitions at Dog Days of Summer. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
A chocolate lab gets some air during the dock diving regionals Sunday. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Competing dogs may dive over 200 times during the 3 days of the festival. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
A happy fellow on the street during Dog Days of Summer. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
An extremely friendly and docile great dane/greyhound mix was a favorite up for adoption. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
A sweetie named Frankie hangs out at Dog Days of Summer in Libertyville. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
A golden retriever takes the stage during the dockdog competition. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Dog Days of Summer. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Big Air Finals took place Sunday. Dogs attempt to jump as far out as possible- up to 40 feet past the dock.
A brittany spaniel during Big Air finals Sunday. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Dogs really fly during the Big Air competition. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
A golden lab takes to the air during the dock dog competition. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Dock dogs during the Big Air regional finals Sunday. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Coming back to shore. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Jump length is measured by where the tail meets the back end of the dog when the jump is complete. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
A brittany goes for it. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Dogs get some big air Sunday. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Semi-pro finals. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Semi Pro finals. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Some dogs sported aerodynamic suits. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
This dog's getting some real distance. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Some amazing jump height. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
Another fantastic jumper during the big air finals Sunday. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
The dogs are truly obsessed with their jumps. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
This dog will likely break the 20 ft mark when the jump is over. Photo by Marielle Shaw.
This Friday through Sunday, the northern suburb of Libertyville went to the dogs during its ninth annual Dog Days of Summer festival. This festival is all about canines and their humans, and features the DockDog National Dog Jumping competition, with more than 100 competing dogs of all shapes and sizes. But whether or not your dog will take to the water, you’ll be sure to find something to do at the festival, held in the center of town at Cook Park. There are plenty of vendors set up in tents at the festival itself, selling everything from sandwiches for humans to leashes, mugs, plaques, drawings and food featuring our furry friends. Visitors to the free festival can partake in a doggy parade, get their pets blessed at an interfaith pet blessing at St. Lawrence church, have a little ice cream (fit for humans and dogs alike) or watch demonstrations by the police department of their amazing K-9 partners. Downtown businesses open their doors for canine companions (or patios) and specials abound.
There was an incredible amount of rescue organizations there with their beautiful canine friends. There were puppies, pitties and giant breeds like the very lovable Great Dane/greyhound mix. Orphans of the Storm, Our House of Hope and the Australian Shepherd Rescue Midwest folks were just a few looking to get some fantastic furry friends homes. Other booths offered education, teaching guests how to perform CPR on a dog if necessary.
The main event though, is the DockDogs National Dog Jumping competition. It runs all weekend and features different categories, like Speed Retrieve, High Jump and Big Air. Dogs of all breeds can compete, though there was a definite labrador leaning during Sunday’s finals. One of the best things about this competition is just how much fun it looks like the dogs are having. Dogs excitedly run the length of the dock into a 40 foot long pool with over 20,000 gallons of water to get whatever toy they’re most excited about as a crowd of people cheers them on towards their goals. During the Big Air competition, you can expect to see dogs flying by the 20 foot mark in just seconds. Over 100 dogs compete for national recognition, and it all happens right in Libertyville’s downtown.
The festival almost didn’t happen this year, but we’re sure glad it did. Take a look at our gallery for shots of the smiling faces and wagging tails from this year’s event, and make sure to follow their facebook page to find out how to join next year’s doggy-filled adventures.
