Among them was 6-year-old Georgia Goodsir, with her family's pet dog Meg.
Georgia's mother Keryn Goodsir said it was "good for everyone to go out and be understanding of
everyone else".
It had been a "gorgeous" day, she said.
Dunedin Pride Incorporated chairwoman Louise Pearman-Beres said dogs could be entered in three categories: Rainbow Pooch, Best Dressed, and Best Junior Handler.
"We just all love animals, and a lot of prides have something for animals as well."
The picnic, which ran from 12pm to 3pm, came after several days of Dunedin Pride activities, including talks on aromantic and asexual relationships at the University of Otago, a walk up the Pineapple Track above Dunedin, and an open mic poetry night.
On Sunday there was also a roller derby - Denim Dames vs Flannel Fatales - at the Edgar Centre, all proceeds going to Dunedin Pride. Today a "Drag Storytime" will be held at the Dunedin City Library, and tomorrow there will be a special screening of Boy Erased at the Rialto Cinema, following the story of the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town who is outed to his parents.
On Thursday Dunedin Pride will end with the Queerest Tea Party at the university, an event run by Otago University Students' Association Queer Support, with the aim of raising the profile of queer identities and culture on campus.
