Dogs Entertain Crowd at Soccer Match during first annual Bark in the Park

Soccer fans experienced a different type of competition as AKC participated in Bark in the Park night at the Carolina Railhawks game.

Agility competitors took to the field at half-time and treated the audience to a taste of the exciting canine sport. Dogs ran a fast jumpers course around the center of the field. Six breeds were represented: Beagle, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Shetland Sheepdog and Toy Poodle.

The AKC mascot Bailey cheered the dogs on and then even tried the agility course himself – only to discover he was a little too big to fit through the tunnels.

The event took place on Aug. 1 at Wake Med Soccer Park in Cary, NC – home of the Carolina Railhawks, North Carolina’s USL Division 1 Soccer Team.

The AKC’s Community Events Team operated an informational booth near the front gate and answered the public’s questions and distributed information about AKC programs and events.

In addition, the stadium was opened for the first time to dogs, and more than 60 owners took advantage of the opportunity and brought their canine companions to the game. Other dog-related businesses and organizations also took part in the special night devoted to dogs.

The Carolina Railhawks plan to make Bark in the Park an annual event.