Barney’s ready to sizzle for show time

IT may be one of Australia’s premier sheep and wool events but a highlight of this year’s Campbell Town Show is sure to be the short-legged dogs.

For the first time, a Dachshund Dash will be included in the show program tomorrow, along with a new Dapper Dachshund Fashion Parade.

Competition organiser Sophie Weeding said dachshunds were lively little dogs with big personalities and they were becoming more popular in Tasmania.

“There really isn’t anything like this in Tassie yet, so we thought we’d give it a try,” she said. “On the mainland they have lots of sausage dog events. There are a lot more sausage dogs here now because there has been a bit of a boom with them.”

Australia’s oldest agricultural show (established in 1838) kicks off today at the Campbell Town Show Grounds. The sausage dog race and the fashion parade start at 10am in the main arena tomorrow.

Also new this year is a flock ewe competition, aimed at attracting a broader range of sheep producers to exhibit at the show and reflecting the changes happening in the sheep industry.

Show president David Taylor said with a decline in the number of stud sheep entries over the past five years, the new ewe competition was aimed at showcasing some of the state’s best commercial ewes and would hopefully boost entry numbers.

Gates open at 8am and close at 5pm today and tomorrow. Entry costs $10 for adults and $5 for children. Anyone wanting to enter their dog is asked to log on to the www.campbelltownshow .com.au website.