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Big dogs, bragging rights, and a crowd-pleasing pull
Enjoy street-festival energy, local flavors, and live music in Deadwood in 2026—pair it with Mount Rushmore, Spearfish Canyon, and Custer State Park.
Event details
On a 100 foot snow packed track stretching down historic Main Street in Deadwood, dogs ranging from Chihuahuas to Saint Bernards compete to drag kegs, growlers, or single beer cans to the finish line while their owners shout encouragement through the frigid January air.
Launched in 2018, the K9 Keg Pull has grown into an annual charity event benefiting the Twin City Animal Shelter in nearby Lead and the Deadwood Main Street Initiative. Six weight classes ensure fair competition. Toy dogs under 10 pounds pull a single can of Budweiser, while dogs weighing 101 pounds and up haul empty 30 pound half barrel kegs.
Past winners include Molly, a yellow Labrador from Custer who claimed her division two years in a row. Registration costs $15 per dog and opens on site at 10:00 AM. Spectators are welcome to watch for free.
Races begin at 1:00 PM in front of the Silverado Franklin Hotel and typically wrap up around 3:00 PM. Awards are given for Fastest Dog, Most Enthusiastic Puller, Crowd Favorite, and Best Dressed.
Participants must bring their own harness, and dogs must be at least six months old and current on vaccinations. Deadwood’s open container policy allows spectators to grab a beer from nearby Saloon No. 10 while cheering along the course.
Visitors traveling with dogs often stay at the Holiday Inn Resort Deadwood Mountain Grand, which charges $25 per night for pets and provides organic treats, water bowls, and grassy relief areas.
For a summer follow up trip, Pactola Lake welcomes dogs and offers off leash areas, while Canyon Lake in Rapid City features a dedicated dog park where a championship keg puller can cool off long after the glory fades.
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