Top Tips for Organising a Breed Meet-Up

Breed-specific dog meet-ups are a fantastic way to bring like-minded dog lovers together, create memorable moments for your four-legged friends, and build a strong community. We caught up with two of our Carnilove ambassadors, Hector @hectorthechocolabo and Peggy @foxredpeggy, who have recently hosted successful Labrador meet-ups and have plenty of tips to share. Whether you’re planning your first get-together or looking to improve your next event, their tips are full of helpful advice to make your dog event a success.

1. Dog Friendly Places: Choose the Right Location

Where you host your meet-up can make all the difference, especially when you’re planning for energetic breeds like Labradors. Open spaces such as forests, dog-friendly beaches, or parks are ideal dog friendly places that allow dogs to run and play happily and safely.

“Labradors love space and freedom to run, so we headed to Thetford Forest where they could safely play off lead and socialise. We chose this location because it was quiet, had large open areas and plenty of places for the dogs to explore and adventure!” – Hector

“We hosted our walk on Watergate Bay beach in Cornwall and put a message out on my Instagram to anyone in the area to join. Our main focuses were choosing a dog-friendly beach that was accessible to all ages and abilities, had local amenities like cafes and toilets, and easy parking.” – Peggy

Thinking of heading to the beach? Find the best beach for your dog breed here.

2. Spread the Word Early

Getting the word out early helps build excitement and gives people time to plan. Both ambassadors used social media and word of mouth to invite fellow Labrador lovers.

“We used social media to connect with local Labrador owners—Facebook groups and Instagram stories worked well. Word of mouth helped too!” – Hector

“I’d recommend Instagram or Facebook posts and mentioning it to all Labrador-owning or dog-loving friends or family you have—word of mouth works amazingly!” – Peggy

3. Dog Safety Tips: Plan for Safety and Comfort

With lots of dogs together, it’s important to keep things safe and stress-free for everyone involved. We would recommend controlling the number of attendees to between 8 and 20 dogs.  Our Carnilove ambassadors make sure to share essential dog safety tips to help create a safe environment and make the most of the dog event.

“We reminded everyone to bring water, leads, and poo bags. Labradors are generally friendly, but we encouraged everyone to supervise their dogs closely, especially during the initial hellos. A first aid kit on hand is also a good idea, just in case.” – Hector

“I made sure to explain that all dogs attending should be dog-friendly and to be respectful to all other dogs and humans on the beach that day. I think I lucked out with our group—we met the sweetest pups and loveliest humans!” – Peggy

4. Keep It Relaxed and Sociable

One of the best things about breed meet-ups is how naturally sociable they are, for both dogs and humans!

“The dogs all got along so well and became the best of friends, so they spent the entire walk playing and running around together. People swapped training tips, talked about their dogs, dog-friendly trips and shared stories over coffee and ice cream at the forest café. It created such a warm, supportive atmosphere.” – Hector

“We got to know so many people. Our attendees ranged from local, to a 1–2 hour drive, to those on holiday from 5+ hours away! Seeing that many dogs run around together and just enjoy the simplicity of the beach was pure joy, and possibly the biggest serotonin boost I’ll have this year.” – Peggy

5. Don’t Forget the Carnilove Dog Treats!

No Labrador event is complete without a few snacks and both ambassadors came prepared!

“We brought along a stash of Carnilove treats, which were very popular! We handed out treats to all the owners so they could all let their dogs enjoy their new favourite treats. It’s a great way to keep the dogs motivated and happy, and reward them for having fun.” – Hector

“We were very fortunate to be given a huge supply of dog treats, courtesy of Carnilove, which was perfect for 30 Labradors. Not a single dog went hungry (even if they do try to convince you otherwise…).” – Peggy

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Whether it’s five dogs or fifty, hosting a dog meet-up is a brilliant way to connect with others, celebrate your favourite breed, and give your dog a truly memorable day.

“What made the event truly special was seeing the joy on both ends of the lead—all of the dogs playing, making new friends, and the owners making new connections with likeminded people. If you’re thinking of organising a breed meet-up, I say go for it. It’s a brilliant way to celebrate the unique charm of your favourite breed.” – Hector

“Peggy and I had the best day ever, and we’d encourage others to do the same.” – Peggy

Written by Zoe Jones