Watch what happened at Kelowna's Pug Dash

It was the undeniable highlight of the Okanagan Pet Expo, amid what can only be described as cute chaos.

Fourteen pugs participated in three heats at an outdoor circuit set up at Laurel Packinghhouse Sunday.

Only the top three contestants from each heat advanced to the highly anticipated final showdown.

As the races unfolded, it became apparent the dogs were not, shall we say, highly-tuned to their competitive surroundings. In fact some just weren't up for it... which of course is half the fun.

“I expected them to actually run around the track and that didn’t happen,” Rosanne Ting-Mak Brown, organizer of the Pet Expo told Kelowna10 post-race. ”But it was a lot of fun and everybody was in really good sports about it and everyone knew it was just a fun race to get the pugs out here and get them together and have a lot of fun.”

Finishing in first place was Pepper, second was Gary, and Lilly came in third.

The pug-loving community in Kelowna serves as a testament to the city's reputation as a haven for dog enthusiasts. The Pug Dash not only celebrated the lovable pugs but also showcased Kelowna's commitment to being a dog-friendly city.

“We have beautiful weather, lots of outside. It’s just a great place where you can take your dogs for walks nearly every day of the year,” Ting-Mak Brown said. “And it's a great opportunity to get yourself outside and take your dog out for a walk.”

The Pug Dash will make its return next year... with or without any canines with a sense of direction..