Agility trial to sniff out top dog

This weekend has gone to the dogs - but only the most agile.

The Prince George Agriplex will be turned into a veritable doggie playground March 10 and 11 for the annual Top Dog Agility event.

Agility-trained dogs can run through the six different disciplines - standard, jumpers, gamblers, snooker, challenge and steeplechase - to work towards a spot in an upcoming regional competition.

Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., spectators can watch a wide variety of dogs in various levels of skill, from beginner to veteran.

To be considered, the dogs have to run through their course - usually an obstacle course involving tunnels, a-frames, benches and posts to weave around - perfectly. Those who make it through without incident are then ranked by who completed it the fastest.

That level of perfection is what separates agility from other sports, explained Top Dog's agility co-ordinator David Greenberg.

"To be a good goalie, you only have to be perfect about 90 per cent of the time," he said.

But despite that distinction, the main element to the sport is fun. And sometimes it's difficult to tell who is enjoying themselves more, man or animal.

"I've never met any owners who weren't having fun," said Greenberg.

There are about 35 active agility members, ranging in age from 12 to nearing 80.

Dirk Blok, 79, participates with a border collie named Rex and a Jack Russell terrier named Jack.

He got involved in the sport with Jack nine years ago.

"I've had dogs all my life, we've done search and rescue together, but I've never done agility. I thought it was good idea to try it out," Blok said. "You do a lot of running yourself."

Agility is a sport that any dog can take part in, said Greenberg, whose three dogs - a havanese and two Australian shepherds - are all agility athletes.

This weekend's trial will feature Teighs, a Chihuahua-cross who is a past national champion, as well as several dogs that placed at the top during last year's B.C. championship.

Teighs's owner Maria Jones will also be participating with her poodle-cross, Strutt, a team Greenberg calls "spectacular."

"Even though agility is open to absolutely any dog, if they're healthy enough, very many of the dogs are herding dogs," Greenberg said.

Those energetic breeds, like border collies and sheepdogs, need a job to do.

"If not, they develop their own jobs, and it's usually something you don't want [like chewing the furniture]," Greenberg said.

But as Jones found out, it's also useful for other types of dogs. She began training her dogs to give them an outlet for their energy and teach them obedience. It also gives her a common interest with her father, Dirk Blok.

Agility provides that exercise and stimulation that a walk around the block can't.

Mike Shortland's two border collies Dazzle and Star, will also be put through their paces at this weekend's event.

Shortland said he became involved with agility after finding it was a more enjoyable environment than dog shows.

"Everybody wants to see every do really well," he said. "We're all like one big family."

Admission for the Top Dog Agility trial is by donation, with all proceeds going to the SPCA for the seventh year.

"We've always had a good relationship with the SPCA," Greenberg said.

For more information on the sport of agility, visit www.topdogpg.com.