Hallowe’en Dog Show part of The Gardens of Easton Lodge open day on Sunday October 15

See if your canine companion can ghoul the extra mile and triumph at The Gardens of Easton Lodge’s Hallowe’en Dog Show.

The competition is part of what promises to be a scarily-good final Sunday open day of the season on October 15 at the Historic England grade II-registered gardens at Little Easton, near Great Dunmow.

Sponsor Burns Natural Pet Food is providing prizes for the winning dogs in all categories, from best puppy to prettiest bitch and handsomest dog, and there will be a special prize from Butternut Box for the overall winner.

Wendy Paffey, of Broxted-based Wendy’s Petcare and Dog Grooming Services, is organising the day with gardens trustees and will be on the judging panel alongside Dr Alex Bradnick from All Paws Vets in Harlow.

There will be a £2 fee for dogs to enter the show. They can enter as many classes as they are eligible for.

The timetable is: 12.30pm - Puppy under six months; 1pm - Best veteran for seven years-plus; 1.30pm - Best Hallowe’en dog; 2pm - Prettiest bitch; 2.30pm - Handsomest dog; 3pm - The dog the judges would most like to take home.

There will also be a chance to meet the Essex Police dog handling unit team and their dogs while representatives of Saffron Walden-based Support 4 Sight will explain what is involved in training guide dogs.

Other family fun will include a pumpkin trail and guess-the-weight-of-the-pumpkin competition, den building in Lime Wood, children’s craft activities and a special historical display about former gardens owner the Countess of Warwick’s love of dogs and other animals and birds.

Visitors will be able to enjoy hot and cold refreshments provided by the trust’s volunteers.

The gardens will open at 11am and close at 5pm. Adult tickets are available at a discounted rate of £5.50 by purchasing from www.eastonlodge.co.uk or Trybooking.com. Tickets priced £6.50 will be available on the gate. Under-16s get in free.

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