Daegu-Gyeongbuk's Largest Companion Animal Festival 'Daegu Pet Show' Opens at EXCO

by Gu Daeseon

Published 18 May.2025 11:35(KST)

Updated 31 Jul.2025 09:56(KST)

The 22nd Daegu Pet Show, the largest companion animal culture and industry exhibition in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region, hosted by Daegu City and organized by EXCO, will be held for three days from May 23 to 25 at the EXCO East Hall Exhibition Center.

This event aims to attract 21,000 visitors and will feature 170 companies across 400 booths, consisting of both an industry exhibition and a cultural festival related to companion animals.

The industry exhibition will showcase and sell products such as pet food, treats, supplements, toys, clothing, and accessories. The cultural festival will include an international dog show, a companion dog grooming competition, temperament evaluations, playgrounds, health consultations, an agility experience zone, aromatherapy, dog fitness, and first aid education, among other activities.

At the Daegu Pet Show held last year, health consultations for companion dogs were conducted.

This year’s event has greatly expanded the range of hands-on experiences available. The “Pink Sand Playground,” which will serve as the event’s photo zone, will be created with 170 square meters of pink sand and installations. Additionally, a rest area designed to evoke a camping atmosphere will be set up so that visitors can enjoy a “petcation” (Pet + Vacation) with their companion animals.

Furthermore, a “giant playground” covering 330 square meters will be available, where visitors can experience obstacles such as hurdles and tunnels.

Through these features, the Daegu Pet Show aims to transform itself from a simple pet product exhibition into an event where, in the era of 15 million companion animal owners, visitors can create special memories with their pets.

Meanwhile, to foster a mature companion animal culture, Daegu City has set up “pettique” experience zones both inside and outside the venue, providing spaces for guidance, hands-on activities, and education on pet etiquette, such as proper waste disposal and movement in public places.

When entering the venue with a companion animal, visitors must use carriers or leashes to prevent accidents.

Additionally, to promote a proper companion animal culture, Lee Woongjong, a professor at Yeonam University, will conduct temperament evaluations for visitors’ dogs on May 23, issue certificates of completion, and provide consultations for guardians regarding the temperament test results.

International Dog Show held at Daegu Pet Show last year.

On-site admission to the 22nd Daegu Pet Show is 8,000 won, but visitors can receive a discounted rate of 5,000 won by pre-registering.

Moreover, those who complete the online courses “Animal Love Learning Center” or “Pre-Adoption Education for Companion Animals” and submit their certificates of completion will be granted free admission.

Park Kihwan, Director of Economic Affairs for Daegu City, stated, “The Daegu Pet Show is more than just an exhibition?it is a venue for communication where citizens and companion animals come together, and a place for education that spreads a mature pet culture. I hope many citizens will create happy and precious memories with their companion animals.”