Rose, a snow-white boxer, admires the “Top Dog” plaque, one award in Art 4 Paws Dog Show. The Top Dog division will showcase dogs from rescue groups onsite at the festival. (RECORD PHOTO/GREGG PARKER)

MADISON – Madison Arts Council (MAC) has added a new activity at Arts 4 Paws Festival that will have the pups parading proudly.

An amateur dog show is an addition to the 2014 event. The third annual Art 4 Paws Festival on April 5 in historic downtown Madison runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Art 4 Paws merges two great American passions, art and pets.

Entries for the dog show will be limited to the first 70 dogs who sign up. On-site registration starts at 1:30 p.m. and will include a $5 fee per dog. Judging starts at 2 p.m.

The dog show will include competition categories “for ‘Smallest,’ ‘Largest,’ ‘Best Personality,’ ‘Best Trick,’ ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Best in Show,'” MAC President Shrail Heinrich said.

First-place winners in each category will receive a plaque, and second- and third-place winners will receive ribbons. A special category, “Top Dog,” will feature dogs available for adoption from animal rescue groups that will be onsite.

“Please come bring your dog and join in the fun,” show coordinator Brenda Parker said. “The emphasis is on fun. The $5 fee allows dog owners to enter their dogs in as many categories as they would like.”

In addition to the dog show, the festival features arts and crafts vendors, an “Ask the Vet” station, children’s activities and food vendors. Two representatives of Madison Police Department’s K-9 division will be attend with their dogs and gladly will answer questions.

More than 10 animal rescue groups will be on site and offer assistance in placing a special animal in a “forever home,” Heinrich said.

Art 4 Paws is a rain-or-shine event. Parking will be available along Main and Church streets.

For more information about MAC, call 256-656-0330 or visit artsmadison.org or Facebook/Madison Arts Council.

For more information on the Art 4 Paws dog show, call 256-682-0339.