It might have sounded like a barking mad idea.
But thousands of people thronged Bught Park in the Highland capital yesterday to continue celebrating Inverness gala weekend which featured the inaugural Ruff Ness – billed as the world’s first-ever doggy Highland Games.
As rainbow-bedecked Proud paraders sang and celebrated in the next arena, dog owners brought along their four-legged friends, many equally colourful and adorned with ribbons, bandanas and frills.
Ruff Ness organisers are Saints Sled Dog Rescue (SSDR), a small volunteer-run charity dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of unwanted Siberian huskies and Alaskan Malamutes.
The doggy Highland Games were a world-first according to SSDR, which declared it was bowled over by the public response.
Scottish SSDR organiser Graham Robinson said: “We think around 400 people came along, with a similar number of dogs, not including spectators. We’re very impressed.”
The games categories were Doggy Dash, a 20-yard scurry run over hurdles, a barrel race 50-yard owner and dog race over hurdles and banger-eating, a timed contest.
There were agility and doggy games throughout the day in small arenas, while the main arena hosted SSDR’s homeless hounds parade, a dog show and sled dog demonstration.
Owners queued to enter their hounds in one or more of nine categories, including Ruff dog, bitch, pup and mutt, redefined ruffian, ruff recycled, golden oldie, and fancy dress.
The fun had a serious side as SSDR interacted with the public to explain the work of their charity and the challenges of having sled dog breeds as pets.
Mr Robinson said: “They’re absolutely gorgeous as puppies, but a lot of people don’t realise they do take a lot of exercise and a lot of looking after.
“They can never be let off the lead as it’s inbred in them to run. They have a very high prey drive, so if they see a cat or small animal or another dog, they will run towards it and, quite often, it ends up with scuffles.
“They cast their hair two or three times a year so you can’t be too house-conscious.”
SSDR was set up in 2013 and has rehomed around 600 dogs so far, rescuing many from brutal circumstances.
The charity relies entirely on public donations.
Mr Robinson said Ruff Ness may become a regular annual event for SSDR in partnership with Highland Council.
