Frankenmuth Dog Bowl

Everyone is guaranteed a tail waggin’ good time at Frankenmuth Dog Bowl! Started in 2008, Dog Bowl is a high-energy event that showcases dogs at their best - whether they are running, jumping, diving or retrieving. With over 25 fun activities, you are sure to find something Fido and the entire family will enjoy!

Schedule of Events:

Balloons Over Bavarian Inn

Witness beautiful morning and evening flights by 24 hot air balloons over Frankenmuth! Nightly balloon glows take place in the grassy field near River Place Shops, this is a must-see event you don’t want to miss at the Frankenmuth Dog Bowl!

- Morning Balloon Flight: 6:00 to 8:00 AM over downtown Frankenmuth
- Evening Balloon Flight: 7:00 to 8:30 PM over downtown Frankenmuth
- Nightly Balloon Glow: 9:00 to 10:00 PM at River Place Shops Field

International DockDogs Competition

Onsite Registration/ Practice – 8:00 a.m.
Big Air WAVE Competition # 1 – 9:00 a.m.
Big Air WAVE Competition # 2 – 11:00 a.m.
Big Air WAVE Competition # 3 – 1:00 p.m.
Big Air WAVE Competition # 4 – 3:00 p.m.
Extreme Vertical Competition – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Gravel Parking Lot near the Cass River by the Covered Bridge

Registration: Please register online at DockDogs - Limited spots will be available for onsite registration during the events. Divisions include Pro, Semi-pro & Amateur. Contact info@dockdogs.com or call 330-241-4975.

9:30 am - 6:30 pm: Dog Lure Course

Does your dog like to chase squirrels? Does your dog like to run? Try your “paw” at the Dog Bowl Lure Course. It’s a fast paced, exciting, controlled lure course event that all dogs can try.

Fun Runs are first come/first serve.

Want to catch an amazing keepsake of your pooch in action?! Enjoy a photo of your dog taken mid-run emailed directly to you at the end of the event!

Location: River Place Shops Field

Fee: Fun Runs - $10 or Fun Run with Action Photo – $35

5:00 pm: Wiener Dog Races

Well over 200 dogs are anticipated at races to be held BOTH Saturday and Sunday in the grass terrace area in front of the Festival Platz Stage. Bring your Dachshund to race for over $1,000.00 in Great Prizes for the speediest wieners, including Free Overnights at the Bavarian Inn Lodge!

Location: River Place Shops Field

Registration: Onsite only – starting at 4 pm before the race at the Wiener Dog Registration Tent at the back of the Fest Platz.

Fee: No cost to register the hottest little hounds in town!

9:00 am - 6:00 pm: Disc Dogs of Michigan Competition

Two World-Qualifying Disc Dog Competitions

Onsite registration is also available the day of the event from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Divisions include Pro, Intermediate, Novice & Jr Handler (14 years old and under) Throw and Catch, Freestyle. Learn more on the Disc Dogs of Michigan website!

Location: River Place Shops Field

Registration: Contact Disc Dogs of Michigan to register your dog!

For More Information Contact Scott Jones: frisbeejones@gmail.com or 248-736-0687

2:30 pm: 25 Yard Small Doggie Fun Run Race

The 16th annual race to see whose small dog is the fastest. This competition is for dogs under 25 lbs. only!

Teams of owners will be at opposite ends of the 25 yard lane cheering their dogs on to victory! The race will take place in the River Place Shops Field at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. Over $1,000.00 in Great Prizes for the Fastest Pooches, including a Free Overnight at the Bavarian Inn Lodge.

Location: Frankenmuth Credit Union Event Field

Registration: Onsite at the Dog Bowl Information Booth on Saturday until 2:00 PM. Limited to the first 50 registered dogs.

Fee: No cost to register!

12:00 pm and 3:30 pm : Border Collie Sheep Herding Demonstration

This event keeps large audiences in awe and amazement.  Different skill sets are demonstrated by various Border Collies based on their experience levels. Several kids from the audience are selected to try to do the herding job as well as one dog. The results are hilarious compared to the experienced precision work of the Border Collies.  A special fenced area with bleacher seating will be located in the River Place Field Shops adjacent to the Disc Dog area for this unique and fun event!

Location: River Place Shops Field

11:30 am & 2:30 pm: Paws with a Cause

Paws With A Cause® enhances the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities nationally through custom-trained Assistance Dogs. PAWS® increases awareness of the rights and roles of Assistance Dog Teams through education and advocacy.

https://www.pawswithacause.org/

Location: Fest Platz Stage  

1:15 pm: Dog Bowl King & Queen Contest

Frankenmuth Dog Bowl is excited to open up submissions for the 2024 Dog Bowl King and Queen Award!

All entries are due by Friday, April 26. In-store voting at Hello Cats and Dogs located at River Place Shops and online voting will then begin on the top candidates, with winners being chosen ahead of the Dog Bowl festival on May 25 and 26, 2024.

If you have any questions about the Dog Bowl King and Queen, please contact Emily Kurzer at ekurzer@bavarianinn.com. Thanks for submitting your pet to be considered as 2024 Dog Bowl King and Queen!

Location: Festival Platz Stage near the Cass River Bar and Grill

Registration: Click here to register!  

12:45 pm: Pet Parade

Join us for the Pet Parade. This year’s King and Queen will be the Grand Marshals!

Beginning at 12:45 pm, dogs and their owners can line up in the south parking lot near the marquee of Frankenmuth River Place Shops. No registration needed! The parade kicks off at 1:00 p.m and will travel north on Main Street, cross the Wooden Covered Bridge and end at the Doggie Play Park on the east side of River Place Shops. The King & Queen will be riding in a golf carts and then receive special recognition on the River Place Shops Fest Platz Stage at 1:15 pm.

11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm: Rock-N-Roll K-9s Performance Team

The Rock N Roll K9s provide good family fun entertainment with their awesome K9s, while grooving to rock and roll music. The shows will include flyball, tricks, relay racing, limbo, choreographed obedience routines, agility, Scooby says, musical mats and much more. You will see a variety of breeds in every color, shape, size and age, as well as the great All American Mix. These skilled athletes and their trainers work close together as a team and with everyone doing their utmost to make the Rock N Roll K9 shows unforgettable. Click here for more information about this event.

Location: River Place Shops Southeast Lawn

8:30 am & 9:45 am: Annual Canine Cruise on the Cass River

Back by popular demand, the annual Canine Cruise on the Cass River returns during the 2024 Frankenmuth Dog Bowl! This unique tour of Frankenmuth takes place aboard the Bavarian Belle historic paddleboat, which docks on the north side of Frankenmuth River Place Shops, 925 S. Main St. in Frankenmuth.

Pets are not only welcome but also encouraged on the Canine Cruise. Cruises will be at 8:30am and 9:45am on both Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 during the Dog Bowl festival.

Each tour lasts around 45 minutes and includes a narrated history of Frankenmuth and plenty of photo opportunities with your pup!

Proceeds from the Canine Cruise go to Frankenmuth Dog Bowl Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission of advocating for responsible pet ownership through educational programs and world-class events, with a goal of being a recognized source of knowledge and entertainment for dogs and the people they love.

Registration is limited to the first 75 participants and one dog per person for each session. There are no refunds for the Canine Cruise Package.

Register: OPEN!

8:30 AM Tickets!

9:45 AM Tickets!

Best Canine Costume Contest

The public shows off their pooches with their “true colors shining through!” Five finalists will be chosen by the judges and asked to join them on Stage. The crowd will then be asked to cheer for their favorite dog in costume and based on the volume of the crowd’s applause the winners will be chosen. Over $1,000.00 in Great Prizes for the Best Dressed Pooches, including Free Overnights at the Bavarian Inn Lodge!

Time: Immediately following the pet parade at approximately 1:30 p.m. on the Festival Platz Stage.

Location: Festival Platz Stage near the Cass River Bar and Grill

Registration: No registration. Participants will be asked to line up in front of the stage for judging.

Fee: No cost to register!

10:30 am | 4:00 pm | 6:00 pm: Police K-9 Demonstration

K9 Hero Guardians, a nonprofit organization, and Central Michigan Dog Training is pleased to bring the exciting world of police K9s to the Frankenmuth Dog Bowl! Join several police officers and their K9 partners from across the Mid Michigan region and beyond as they demonstrate the extensive training Police K9s have. Their demonstrations will consist of narcotics detection, handler protection, criminal apprehensions, article searches, and mock car chases with K9 deployment from their cruisers!

The demonstrations will be narrated by Retired Detroit Police K9 Handler & owner of Central Michigan Dog Training, John Skalski. He will talk about the training involved with these dogs and give you an inside look into the daily life of a working Police K9. You may even be chosen from the audience to voluntarily participate in one of the demonstrations and get to meet these K9 heroes!

K9 Hero Guardians provides funding & support for Law Enforcement K9’s. Established in 2010, K9 Hero Guardians has donated several K9’s to agencies in the Mid Michigan region, provided funding for veterinary care, and donated numerous pieces of equipment for training and safety. In 2019, they raised over $55,000 to fully outfit 4 new K9 vehicles for the Saginaw Police K9 program. For more information on K9 Hero Guardians and the officers they support, visit www.MiK9Cop.com.

Central Michigan Dog Training provides quality training for all dogs. Their trainers are unequaled in experience in the training of Police K9s and civilian dogs. For more information about Central Michigan Dog Training, contact them at CentralMichiganDogTraining@gmail.com or 810-252-5518.

Location: River Place Shops Field