By midmorning on a recent Saturday, George English Park in Fort Lauderdale had already gone to the dogs. And that was just the way some Coral Ridge residents liked it.

“Most of the dogs [here today] are shelter dogs,” said social director Pam Cushman. “[They] make the best kind of pets [because] they’re grateful.”

This is the opening of the Coral Ridge neighborhood’s sixth annual Dog Festival, an event that includes unique and creative competitions — a sort of tongue-in-cheek take on flossy kennel shows — in categories like “Longest Ears,” “Prettiest Eyes,” and “Owner Look-Alike.”

“This is a great opportunity for people to come together,” said City Commissioner Christine Teel, who served as one of the festival's judges. “Dogs are always a common element.”

But there was only one candidate in the “Owner Look-Alike” category: a purebred Labrador retriever named Champer Roberts. Like his owner, Janet Missner, he was blond and wearing jungle camouflage.

“And we’re both stubborn,” Missner said.

With more than 70 dogs and 150 owners in attendance, Cushman called the festival a pure success. All proceeds went to benefit the Humane Society of Broward County.