Spring travel is finally looking dog-friendly, at least locally. My pup’s headed to the Canadian Pet Expo along with some dog-friendly breweries hosting dog-friendly brewery events coming up soon!

On the agenda this Easter 2022 weekend – The Canadian Pet Expo at the International Centre near the Toronto airport in Ontario, Canada. I’ve been marking what should be a religious weekend at a temple of my own: a huge pet expo celebrating all things furry, purry, scaly, and feathered, since the show ran under a previous name years ago.

It’s now called The Canadian Pet Expo. After a pandemic break, it’s back running Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Easter weekend: April 15 to 17, 2022. Like so many pet festivals, it’s mainly about the vendors but this one adds a purebred cat show, lure course, dock diving, and reptiles.

The week also marks the launch of a season – the pet festival season. And this year, I’m especially excited to see the dogtrotting.net events directory filling up with events and actual dates (rather than cancellation notices). Some of the favorites, such as Pawlooza in London, Ontario are back in full force. Others, such as Toronto’s Woofstock, are still MIA.

And … I’d like to develop a list of major US pet festivals too. So please let me know your favorite in the comments below. I’m hoping to head to DogBowl again in Michigan.

In the meantime….

There’s one thing missing from the Canadian Pet Expo and that’s a bar.

Pints with the Pups: Dog Events at Ontario Dog-friendly Breweries

I’m also looking forward to hoisting a pint with my dog, or taking in a flight of cider with the pup, and that’s possible at the following events at dog-friendly breweries:

1. Take your dog to Poochella in St. Catharines, Ontario

Poochella 2022 on May 15^th, at Lock Street Brewing, 15 Lock Street, St. Catharines, Ontario isn’t an event we’ve previously checked out but are looking forward to it this year. Of course, the focus will be beer and wine from Lock Street Brewing along with a doggy DJ, Poochable Pop Up Shop, Barkuterie and Pupsicles along with food provided by oddbird.express.

2. Head to Grit and Grain in Hamilton, Ontario

Small batch brewery, Grit and Grain, in Hamilton, Ontario hosts several creative events all summer, but the best idea of course is Dog Day Bash 2022 on May 29, 2022, from noon to 6 pm. Bring your dog for a beer (for you) and visit vendors and other pups.

Finally, the big finale is dog celebrations all summer long. That’s right, every weekend at Hounds of Erie Winery is the Dog Days of Summer.

Ok, this one isn’t a brewery, so isn’t in the city and that’s likely the best part. This is a cider winery in the rural reaches of Norfolk County: Hounds of Erie Winery, 377 7^th Concession Road, Clear Creek, Ontario. But they’re hosting a summer-long dog festival – sort of.

Back this year after a few cancellations, Dog Days of Summer at Hounds of Erie Winery in Norfolk County. From May to September, each weekend is dedicated to another breed of dog – although everyone is welcome any weekend. Pre-registration is required but admission is free.

3. Sign up for any scheduled dates of Dog Days of Summer:

Hopefully, this year nothing will be canceled, and we’ll all stay safe spending a lot of time with our dogs. If I’m going … my dog’s going. She doesn’t know it any other way, yet.

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America, and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria.