by Noella Noelophile®
For Valentine’s weekend, Long Beach is–once again–going to the dogs.
And they’re going to be pretty doggone cute, strutting their stuff for the judges.
This Sunday, February 12th, Haute Dogs’ thirteenth annual “Bulldog Beauty Contest” happens at Marine Stadium. 
There will be 21 dog contests, and not just for bulldogs. All breeds and mixes are welcomed with open arms–and wagging tails. 
Competitions will include “Most Handsome Dog”, “Best Costume on a Dog”, “Most Photogenic”, and “Best Ears”.
The contests begin with “Best Dog with a Disability”, at 9:40 am. If you have a perfect pooch who happens to be blind, deaf, three-legged or otherwise, this is his or her moment.
Of course, the contest’s namesakes will have their day–and their competitions. The National (English) Bulldog Beauty Contest happens at 10 that morning. 
And the tres belle or beaux French bulldogs get their own beauty contest, at 12:15.
Also, if your favorite canine is a resident corgi, there’s a new “Cutest Corgi” contest (say that three times fast!) wrapping up the day at 3:00 pm.
You can choose to come and root for the contestants for free, or pay $5 for a front-row seat. Or, if you have one or more spectacular canines who have stolen your heart, and you’d like to enter them in the contest, here’s the link for registration. The $10-per-dog registration fee enters each participant in all the contests for which he or she qualifies.
This is always a lot of fun, with spectators and their pets coming just to cheer (and bark) the competitors on. (Or oink, as the case may be!)
In addition to the contest itself, there are all kind of fun canine-related exhibits.
Meanwhile, if you aren’t currently sufficiently “canined’ but would love to have a new family member, Haute Dogs (and founder Justin Rudd) may be able to help in that department. They’ll also be hosting a pet adoption fair at 9:30. Then, as the festivities start, be looking for all kinds of bright eyes, cool costumes, and contenders for the top prizes of a year’s supply of dog food.
Everybody and his dog will probably be there.