The Beaumont Hotel hosted its second annual ‘‘Bark Up’’ on Saturday, February 26.
Local and travelling farmers rallied their farm dogs to compete for prizes by being judged on how long and loud their inner woof was.
Judges David and Karen Robertson, Paul Eason and Amy Morris used their experience to pick the best of the best.
The Bark Up, held to bring local shepherds and farmers together socially, also doubled as a fundraiser for Farmstrong, an organisation created to provide assistance and improve wellbeing of rural farmers throughout New Zealand.
Farmers from as far afield as Owaka came to compete.
After last year’s hosting of around 40 entries in total, this year a ‘‘casual’’ 20 entries provided a challenge for the farmers’ hounds.
The competitors were mostly huntaways, with the odd heading dog and even a Jack Russell jumping into the action to challenge his larger cousins.
Prizes included the most barks, least barks, best sniffer and best novice, and all hounds put their best bark forward.
The event was deemed a ‘‘successful night’’ by bar manager and event organiser Jana Fransbach, who also participated with her partner’s dog Mok.
‘‘People like to bond over their dogs. There is always lots to talk about. It’s a good way to get rurals to come together,’’ she said.
