Dewey, left, and Hydro are two of the dogs performing in the SuperDogs show at the Saint John Exhibition. (Photo: Danielle McCreadie/Wave News)
Part athlete, part entertainer — the SuperDogs are ready to put on a show for Saint John.
The one-of-a-kind dog show is making a stop in the Port City during this week’s Exhibition.
The SuperDogs have been performing incredible stunts, tricks and comedy for audiences across Canada.
Grant Dempster, who hosts the show, says it is all about loving your dog, playing with your dog, and communicating with your dog.
“Agility certainly has a lot to do with it but it’s more about family fun entertainment,” said Dempster. “We’ve got some comedy in there, there’s a little bit of drama, and there’s a little competition to it as well. It’s a good family fun show.”
Dempster, who has been with the SuperDogs going on seven years, says there is nothing better than being able to work with animals all the time.
Dan Roufosse, one of the performers and handlers, agrees. Six of his seven dogs perform as part of the show.
“Our passion is to be training and working with the dogs and then coming out here and performing for people and the audiences and seeing the smiles on everyone’s face, that’s kind of what we love to see,” Roufosse said.
Meet Dewey and Hydro! These two Aussie Coolies are brothers, and also star in the @MySuperDogs show down at the Saint Joh Ex. What a couple of good boys 🌟 pic.twitter.com/qQHxNtJZBJ
— Danielle McCreadie (@danimccreadie) August 29, 2019
Dempster says more than 40 per cent of the dogs who perform have been rescued from humane societies or shelters.
“We want to show that with the right amount of love, care and attention, you can take a shelter dog and turn it into a SuperDog,” he said.
“Just being able to come to our shows and watch and know that some of these dogs are rescue dogs, it can really inspire some people to see that, if I go home and I give the right amount of love, care and attention to my dog, then anything is possible.”
There is a lot of work and training involved to have a dog become part of the show, but Roufosse says the most important thing is to find something they really enjoy — whether it is playing frisbee, agility, obedience, or silly tricks.
“Really embrace that, let them grow, let them love it and enjoy it, and then bring that forth,” Roufosse said.
This is the second time the SuperDogs have come to Saint John. Dempster says the shows are bigger and better than ever.
You can catch a SuperDog show three times a day until Saturday — 2:30, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. — at Exhibition Park in Saint John.
With files from Danielle McCreadie
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