BEDFORD — A furry mix of Labradors and golden retrievers, shepherds, spaniels and pugs, pointers and poodles and a 135-pound Newfoundland puppy cavorted together poolside yesterday at Bedford Village Memorial Park as part of a fundraiser for the Bedford Dog Owners Group.

"The dog park is an incredible way of bringing the community together to talk and network," said Dorothy Coletta of Katonah, the owner of three dogs and a board member of the volunteer group.

In addition to raising needed funds, events like yesterday's help make people aware that dogs need to interact and can do so peacefully even if they don't know each other, said Patricia Barry of Katonah, president of Bedford DOG, or Dog Owners Group.

"When they are not on their own turf, they are not as protective or guarded," said Barry, owner of a Labrador retriever and a bearded collie.

Inside the chain-link fenced pool area where the event was held, tails wagged, wet noses sniffed, newly made friends chased each other across the grass, and dogs went airborne as they sailed after tennis balls and plopped into the pool, which has been closed to humans for the season.

Proud owners stood around beaming approvingly and comparing vital statistics on breeds and the best diets.

Vicky, a 4-year-old pug, attended the event with her owner, Kathy Witman of Scarsdale.

"She loves to socialize with humans and doggies," Witman said as Vicky rubbed noses with a 2-year old pug named Vito, owned by John Krasnici of Thornwood.

By midafternoon, and with another two hours to go, the fundraiser had attracted 212 dogs accompanied by 375 pet owners. A $5 donation and proof of up-to-date vaccinations were requested for each four-legged guest.

Kim Keuroghlian of Cross River tried to haul his 135-pound black Newfoundlander named Rudy toward the exit.

"Newfoundlanders are natural water dogs and he loves to swim, plus the temperature is great," Keuroghlian said.

An impeccably groomed 5-year-old chow mix named Kovu, on the other hand, steered clear of the melee.

"It's his first time in public off the leash," said owner Jessica Daley of Armonk. Daley and her husband, Glenn, adopted the stray after he was hit by a car in the Bronx.

"We're trying to socialize him, but we're taking it easy," she said. "We don't know how he was treated before we got him."