The Jack Russell dog race was an idea taken from British agricultural shows and introduced to the Wanaka Show in 1998 and it now attracts about 60 dogs each year.
Jack Russell race organiser Richard Burdon, of Glen Dene farm at Lake Hawea, has owned Jack Russells all his life and said the dogs enjoyed the event as much as the spectators.
"It doesn't matter if the dogs are big, fat, tall or small, it is a fun day out for them - they just love it."
The race was open to all Jack Russell breeds except mixed breeds, Mr Burdon said.
"There are not many rules or regulations in this race but we don't allow any imposters.
"There are all sorts of variations of Jack Russell dogs, and there is all sorts of inbreeding going on, so some of them may look slightly like a Jack Russell.
"We don't mind them running but they can't claim first, second and third prize," he said.
Mr Burdon said finding the winner after the race was often the hardest part.
"Most of the owners know whose dog has won but sometimes it is such chaos it is hard to work it out.
"We have a number of guest judges and last year we had [then Prime Minister] Bill English and his wife, and All Black coach Steve Hanson, and even Steve wasn't quite able to tackle the winning dog."
The dogs have to chase a hare towed by huntsman Pat McCarthy on horseback over a 150m course.
Mr Burdon said often the dogs did not realise the race was over and carried on running, so "it is either a matter of the owners doing a good dash down the track or they have someone there to catch it."
The race is held just before the Grand Parade and attracts a huge crowd, particularly children.
Mr Burdon said the race could pose health and safety issues and urged both spectators and dog owners not to run in front of or behind the horse and to keep the field clear.
"One year a newspaper photographer got in the way of the dogs, the hare got tangled around him and suddenly there was a whole pile of Jack Russell dogs on top of the photographer - that was quite funny," he said.
There are no registrations for the race - dog owners and their dogs just have to turn up 10 minutes before the race starts at 12.30pm.
The fastest three dogs win an embroidered dog coat and pet food donated by the race sponsors.
