Morshead Park was abuzz with dog owners from across Victoria and their furry four-legged best friends on Saturday afternoon.

There were more than 580 dogs strutting their paws in a bid to be crowned the winner of this year’s All Breed Championship Show.

The event drew crowds of hundreds, including a dog-loving couple from New Zealand.

Some of the seven categories included Best Exhibit in Show and Best Baby Puppy In Show.

The dog club’s publicity officer Dorothy Harrison said dogs had come from across the state including from Goulburn Valley, Hoppers Crossing and Sunbury. 

“Most of the owners and their dogs are up before the sparrows get up,” Ms Harrison. 

“They come down here and enjoy the day and they share their companionship with their dogs with the other people here.”

Ms Harrison said the show brought together people from all walks of life, with the owners as diverse as the dog breeds. “Some people like fluffy dogs, some like smooth coat dogs – you name it and they will be represented here.

“The only common theme is the companionship people share with their dogs.”

While almost 600 dogs seems like a record number, Ms Harrison said in previous years the club had had more than 1000 entries. 

Ballarat resident Samantha Cadan, who brought along her rough-haired Jack Russell ‘Logan’, said it was great for the community to celebrate their love of dogs.

“Any dog show that is on in Ballarat, we will be there,” she said. 

“It’s an incredibly special bond that owners and dogs share. It’s the social interaction with other dogs and their owners that really keep us coming back.”

Logan, who is two years old, was a contender for the Best Exhibit in Show.

“He is one crazy, happy dog,” she said. “He has such a big personality and he just loves people.”

An Australian champion and Ballarat-owned silky terrier called Jack Sparrow took out the top award ahead of runner-up Shillelagh Strike A Post, a kerry blue terrier, also from Ballarat. 

The winner of the Best Baby Puppy In Show was a German shorthaired pointer called Trupoint Critical Acclaim from Mansfield.

melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au