Dog race shopping list: what to buy and bring

A dog race needs more than a start line and a clear route. You will need equipment for marking and timing the course, water and safe waiting areas for the dogs, plus shelter, serving items and power supplies for the people running the event. Buy or borrow the items early enough to test the starting gates, stopwatches, microphone and speakers. Keep extra water, waste bags and batteries on hand because these are easy to underestimate on race day.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 6
Waste binsqty 8
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Start arch
Finish arch
Agility obstaclesqty 8
Slalom polesqty 12
Marker conesqty 30
Starting gatesqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 6
Measuring tape
Winner ribbonsqty 12
Dog water bowlsqty 12
Dog kennelsqty 6
Dog waste bag dispensersqty 8

Equipment

Wireless microphone
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Power banksqty 4
Punch clocksqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Battery lampsqty 8

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 180
Platesqty 150
Cutlery setsqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8

Decorations

Competition bannersqty 4
Buntingqty 10
Directional signsqty 12
Prize tablecloth
Tableclothsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knivesqty 3
Cooling matsqty 6
Water jugsqty 8
Serving Cupsqty 6
Bread cutting boardsqty 3

Cleaning

Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mop setsqty 2
Bucketsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Disinfectantqty 2
Poop scoopsqty 4
Dog poop bagsqty 1000
Trash bagsqty 80
Paper towelsqty 8

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
Battery lanternsqty 8
Spare batteriesqty 24

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Red - 60 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Alcohol-free beer - 48 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Mini ice pops - 100 pieces
- Croissants - 60 pieces
- Mini currant buns - 50 pieces
- White rolls - 80 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 60 pieces
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilogram
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Strawberry jam - 4 jars
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Cucumber - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 6 kilograms
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 6 jars
- Muesli bars - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 10 pieces
- Trash bags - 80 pieces
- Latex gloves - 4 boxes
- Dog biscuits - 8 bags
- Dog food - 5 kilograms
- Peanut butter for dogs - 4 jars
- Dog sausages - 6 packages
- Luke-warm drinking water - 120 liters
- Saline solution - 6 bottles

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Cool packsqty 12
Disposable stretcher
Safety vestsqty 12
Crowd control barriersqty 30
Barrier tapeqty 8
Conesqty 24
Flashlightsqty 6

Administration

Race number vestsqty 120
Bib numbersqty 150
Participant formsqty 150
Jury formsqty 80
Clipboardsqty 12
Pensqty 30
Waterproof markersqty 12
Printer paperqty 500
Wristbandsqty 200
Prize ribbonsqty 12
Medalsqty 12
Winner's cupsqty 3
Vouchersqty 12
Name stickersqty 200
Table signsqty 12

Tips

Plan at least one water bowl at the start area, one at the finish and one near the waiting or kennel area. Refill them throughout the day rather than relying on a single large container.
Use enough marker cones and slalom poles to make the route obvious from every approach. Walk the course before the event and keep spare cones available in case one is moved or knocked over.
Test every stopwatch, punch clock, battery lamp and power bank at least 24 hours before the race. Bring spare batteries and charge power banks fully the night before.
Provide one dog waste bag dispenser at each busy dog area, such as the entrance, start and finish. Refill them before the first heat and check them after every few races.
Set up tables, coolers, reusable cups, plates and cutlery before participants arrive. Keep refreshments separate from the dog waiting area, and allow at least 30 minutes for the serving and power setup.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a dog race course?: Bring a start arch, finish arch, starting gates, marker cones, slalom poles and agility obstacles. Add measuring tape and at least two stopwatches so the course can be checked and results can be recorded if one timer fails.
How many water bowls do I need for a dog race?: Plan for at least three bowls for a small event: one near the start, one at the finish and one beside the kennels or waiting area. For larger groups, add one bowl for every 10 to 15 dogs and refill them throughout the day.
What equipment do I need for announcements at a dog race?: Use a wireless microphone, speakers and a mixer, plus extension cords and power strips if mains power is available. Check the full setup at least one day before the race and keep a charged power bank available as backup.
When should I prepare the shopping for a dog race?: Buy durable course and timing equipment at least one week before the event so you can test and replace missing items. Purchase refreshments and other consumables two to three days beforehand, then fill the coolers and restock waste bags on race day.

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