Paws 4 Fort and Dorset Dog Friendly Business Awards 2025

Our favourite event of the year is back!
In partnership with Love Dogs West Dorset, Nothe Fort is pleased to announce Paws 4 Fort Family Fun Dog Show & Dogs Welcome Business Awards 2025!

We have a whole day of doggy delights, featuring:

Dog-friendly stalls with treats for all the family
Family Fun Dog Show
A display from Guide Dogs for the Blind West Dorset
Announcing the Winners of 2025 Dogs Welcome Business Awards

Family Fun Dog Show

Enter your dog in our Dog Show for a chance to win prizes! £2 Entry for first category entered, and £1 Entry for subsequent categories entered – pay on the day. Registration will start at 11am.

Dog Show Judging Categories:
Waggiest Tail
Golden Oldie
Fun Trick
Cutest Puppy
Assistance Dog
Young Handler

And the final category…
The Winner of each category will be automatically entered into the final category:
The Dog the Judge would like to Take Home!

Prizes for winners donated by local businesses, who are kindly supporting this event. Sponsors to be announced soon!
(Rosettes and certificates for 1st – 4th place) and special prizes for First Place.

Nominate a local Business for a Dogs Welcome Business Award!

Your vote could give a business from anywhere in Weymouth, Portland, Littlemoor, Chickerell, or Upwey the chance to win a Dogs Welcome Business Award, which will be presented at the Paws 4 Fort Dog Show & Awards event at the Nothe Fort on Sunday 7th September 2025.

The categories for the Dogs Welcome Business Awards are as follows:

Best Dogs Welcome Accommodation
Best Dogs Welcome Service Provider
Best Dogs Welcome Retail Shop
Best Dogs Welcome Visitor Centre
Best Dogs Welcome Parks, Gardens, and Open Spaces

NOMINATE your favourite dog-welcoming business here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/dog-welcome-awards-2025-nominations/

This open nomination round of voting will be open until Thursday 24th July 2025. After this round of open nominations closes, the five businesses with the most nominations in each category will go through to the final round of public voting, which will decide the 2025 Award Winners!

Businesses may nominate themselves.

Sponsors needed!
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please get in touch with Linda from Love Dogs West Dorset: 07368 183315

About the Event Venue

What3Words Location: dogs.claim.nest

Parking: Audience parking is available outside the fort at Nothe Car Park (What3Words: mixed.stuck.serve)

Seating Provided: There is seating around the Fort and in the Café

Food and Drink: The onsite café will be open. Picnics allowed in designated picnic areas.

Dogs: Very Welcome!

Wheelchair User Access: The venue is wheelchair accessible and has a lift to three floors. If you have any access requirements before your visit, please contact Nothe Fort ahead of your visit (01305 766626).

This event is covered by your Annual Pass/General Admission ticket price.

Entry to the Dog Show judging categories: £2 Entry for first category entered, and £1 Entry for subsequent categories entered – pay on the day.