Bonspiels and Belly Rubs: Why Every Curling Club Needs a Dog
Every curling club has its characters — the loud skip, the quiet lead, the eternal broom-borrower — but every great curling club should have a dog.
Dogs and curling go together like beer and post-game strategy debates. They bring warmth to cold arenas, charm to league nights, and an unmatched ability to make everyone forget that they just flashed an open hit.
So here’s why your club should get its own four-legged mascot (or at least let everyone bring theirs).
🧊 1. The Rink Is Cold — But Dogs Bring the Warmth
Let’s be honest: curling rinks are basically walk-in freezers with better lighting. The temperature hovers somewhere between “hockey practice” and “Arctic expedition.”
Now imagine a friendly golden retriever greeting you as you walk in, tail wagging, ready for pets. Instant warmth. Instant serotonin. Suddenly, you’re not questioning your life choices for joining an 11 p.m. league — you’re smiling because someone’s Goodest Boy just made your night.
🍺 2. Curling Is Social — And So Are Dogs
Dogs are natural extroverts. They’ll trot right up to the opposing team, make friends at the bar, and accept snacks from anyone with opposable thumbs.
Sound familiar? That’s curling culture in a nutshell — friendly competition, a few pints, and stories that get taller every end. A curling dog bridges the gap between teams faster than a free round.
Related reading: Why Curlers Make the Best Dinner Guests — because curlers (and dogs) are the perfect mix of social and snack-motivated.
🪣 3. They’re Excellent Ice Technicians
Ever seen a dog stare intensely at a curling stone sliding down the sheet? That’s focus. That’s dedication.
Sure, they might not know what “curl” means, but you can bet they’ll chase that rock until the very end. Dogs have an innate sense of balance, timing, and — let’s be real — joy. If they could hold brooms, they’d sweep harder than any human alive.
And if they couldn’t sweep? They’d still look adorable trying.
🎯 4. Mascots Boost Club Morale
Every curling club needs a mascot — not just a logo, but a living, tail-wagging symbol of good vibes. Think of it:
- Moose the Malamute, guardian of the hack.
- Pebbles the Pug, official rock-watcher.
- Sweepy the Sheepdog, honorary ice technician.
Dogs give clubs an identity and something to rally around. Plus, if your club’s social media needs a boost, try posting a photo of a dog in a funny and amazing curling shirt. You’ll triple your engagement in about five minutes.
❤️ 5. Curling Dogs Make Bonspiels Better
Bonspiels are curling’s version of a festival — long weekends of laughter, chaos, and mild dehydration. A dog wandering through the warm room getting pets between draws? That’s peak bonspiel energy.
They make strangers feel welcome, defuse post-game tension (“sorry about that pick, but look at this puppy!”), and remind everyone that it’s just a game. A very serious, competitive, life-altering game. But still a game.
🧢 6. Dogs Deserve Their Own Curling Merch
Let’s be real: you can’t have a curling dog without a curling shirt. Our personal favorite? The “Goodest Boy on Ice” design — perfect for pups, players, and anyone who loves both bonspiels and belly rubs.
🐾 Check it out at CurlingIsFun.com and grab your curling team merch before your club’s next event.
In the End, Curling Dogs Just Make Everything Better
Curling clubs are about community — and nothing embodies that better than a dog. They don’t care about standings or statistics. They care about being part of the pack.
So the next time you walk into your club and see a tail wagging by the door, don’t be surprised. It’s just another curler, waiting for their turn to play.
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