Tara donned a bright pink tutu and a sparkling tiara as she wandered through a pavilion at Exhibition Park, greeting children half her size and causing plenty of double takes from passers-by.
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The Irish wolfhound and her mate Seamus, whose bear costume was hastily removed by the dog, both stood above waist height alongside their owner Susan Barnard.
They were just two of the outlandishly-dressed dogs at the boutique indoor dog-lovers event held on Saturday.
High tea diner Rhonda Kennedy and her pooch Houri had spent hours preparing for the event. Ms Kennedy said her dog does everything with her.
"We went shopping to buy her a little dress and her feather boa and things like that," Ms Kennedy said.
"We were lucky to find them, they're not easy to find. But we like high tea, and we like doing things with our dogs," she said.
The high tea was just one of the highlights of the new event called A Pooch Affair, which also featured a doggy diner where humans and their dogs could eat together, and the exclusive "pug hour".
Passionate pooch lovers from across the region packed out the Pooch Affair pavilion on Saturday, while the overwhelming sound and smell of canines added to the atmosphere.
Tutus, tiaras and tuxedos were the most popular fashion choices for the day, while humans rugged up in their winter woolies for the event.
Hounds of all shapes and sizes were primped and preened, sporting everything from hair barrettes and top hats, to bow ties and bling collars.
Two giant Irish wolfhounds, Tara and Seamus, were in stark contrast to Lulu and Oliver, two four-month-old Maltese fox terriers.
Terrier owner Diane Wellach-Smith said she kept the tiny dogs close to her in bag-like harnesses as they were too young to be alone.
"I think they're more comfortable when they're close to me," Ms Wellach-Smith said.
She said she loves her dogs because they never answer back and they're always happy to see her.
"They are just great company," she said.
For dog owner Chris French, animals rule her world. She travelled four hours to Canberra from Rutherglen in Victoria just for the event.
Ms French owns a bed and breakfast specifically for dog owners.
"It's a niche market, but it's growing dramatically in Australia," Ms French said.
"Overseas, dogs are much more accepted in restaurants and all sorts of places, but Australia is certainly starting to catch up. We're becoming a lot more dog-friendly, and events like this prove it."
