Canine Athletics: The Growing Trend In Doggy Sport

By Sarah Healey on June 7, 2012 in Other

Dog lovers take note: local residents Kerrie Weil, Kathy Nock and Tsuey Hiu have been training relentlessly for the most important event in the dog calendar – the ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council) National Agility Trial, to be held over five days from June 17 at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park.

This spectacular event will exhibit the very best in dog agility from around the country, and will attract around 500 competitors from Australia and New Zealand.

Dog agility is a sport in which dogs and their owners have to navigate their way over and around jumps and obstacles within a tight timeframe. The obstacles are numbered and the handlers need to expertly direct their dogs to get them through the course as quickly as possible.

It doesn’t matter whether your dog is a pedigree or a cross, or whether the owner is fourteen or eighty years old – anyone can compete as it’s all about pushing physical and mental boundaries. It also gets the dogs out of the backyard and is a fun social event for us humans!

“What’s wonderful about the sport is that it creates a great bond between yourself and your dog. There’s nothing like the feeling of going out with your dog and being engaged with each other,” Kerrie told The Beast.

If dog agility is pricking up your pooch’s ears, or if you want to know more about the National Agility Trial, visit www.agilitynationals2012.com.au or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nationalsagility2012.