By Tyler Daly, CEO of Paleo Ridge
A couple of weeks ago I made my first trip to GoodWoof, and honestly, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Having never been before, I figured it was time to see what all the fuss was about, and I came away with plenty of thoughts to share.
The Atmosphere: Even Better Than You'd Think
Let's start with the obvious: there were a lot of dogs. I'd estimate around 80% of attendees brought their four-legged companions along, which in theory sounds like it could be chaotic. In practice? Surprisingly civilised. Whoever organises the event has clearly put serious thought into the layout and flow, because the whole thing ran smoothly despite the sheer volume of canines on site. Lots of open space meant dogs (and their humans) could breathe, move around comfortably, and actually enjoy themselves.
If you've ever worried that a busy dog event might be stressful for your pet, GoodWoof seemed to handle that really well. Top marks for the organisation there.
The Stands: High-End and Dog-Obsessed (In a Good Way)
The vendor selection was impressive; lots of premium dog accessories, thoughtful products, and brands that clearly cater to owners who care deeply about their dogs' wellbeing. It felt very much like a community of like-minded, engaged dog owners rather than a generic pet expo. That part I genuinely loved.
The Elephant in the Room: The Food
Now, here's where I have to be honest, and those of you who know Paleo Ridge won't be surprised by this.
GoodWoof is sponsored by a large ultra-processed dog food company, which means the food offering on site was very much kibble-focused. There was a large prominent stand from a well-known ultra-processed dog food company, and the queues for it were remarkably long. Whether that reflects how many attendees actually feed that diet or whether people were simply looking for advice, I couldn't say, but it was noticeable.
As someone who has dedicated their career to raw, natural dog food, it was a little hard to see such a one-sided representation of dog nutrition at an event that otherwise felt so progressive and health-conscious. The visitors at GoodWoof clearly care deeply about their dogs and I truly believe they deserve access to the full picture when it comes to feeding.
What I'd Love to See
This isn't a criticism of the event itself - more of a hopeful nudge. GoodWoof has the audience, the atmosphere, and the ethos to be a real platform for conversations about canine health in its broadest sense. With that in mind, I'd love to see:
- Alternative sponsorship welcomed - opening the door to raw feeding brands so attendees can discover options beyond the mainstream.
- Speakers from alternative and holistic veterinary medicine - the raw feeding and integrative vet community has so much to offer, and this would be the perfect stage for those conversations.
- A more balanced view of canine nutrition - because the dog owners at GoodWoof are exactly the kind of people who are ready to hear it.
The Verdict
Despite my reservations about the food sponsorship, I'd wholeheartedly recommend GoodWoof to any dog owner. It's a well-run, genuinely enjoyable day out that puts dogs front and centre - and that's something I'll always get behind. I'll absolutely be going back next year, and hopefully next time I'll be seeing a few more raw feeding brands in the mix.
Watch this space.
Tyler Daly is the CEO of Paleo Ridge, the UK's leading raw dog food brand.
