Mixed-breed dogs find many opportunities to shine
By Marty Metzger
Correspondent
A dog doesn't have to be expensive and purebred to make its owner proud
on a competitive circuit. A mixed-breed dog with a heart for competition
has many options to shine, including obedience, agility, flyball, herding,
dock diving and freestyle.
Participation in obedience, as in the other canine sports, begins with
a reputable, qualified trainer. Classes range from puppy to advanced levels.
Basic commands like "sit," "come," "stay" and "heel" can lead to higher
competitive levels such as retrieves over jumps.
Unlike AKC-registered dogs, the unregistered are limited to UKC shows,
fun matches and 4-H.
Agility is a fun and challenging sport in which competitors race against
the clock. Handlers signal their dogs around a course consisting of a seesaw,
tunnels, hurdles and poles. The frenetic pace is exciting for spectators,
as well as dogs and handlers.
To compete, handlers need to find a local group such as Front Range Agility
Club, a branch of the United States Dog Agility Association. A registration
card, temporary or permanent, allows a dog to compete.
A USDAA trial will be held at the Larimer County Fairgrounds in Loveland
on April 5 and 6.
Liz Blasio, director of the Progressive School for Dogs near Windsor, is
a nationally recognized trainer with more than 30 years of experience.
She has shown in USDAA- and AKC-sanctioned events, including the National
Dog Show. Although she currently owns a Lab, a Sheltie and two border collies
(all AKC-registered), Blasio said "any dog can do agility. All they need
is drive, desire and proper training."
Additional information about agility can be found at these web sites:
Julie Yamane, owner of the Canine Learning Center in Fort Collins, described
three less-known canine sports.
Flyball is a relay race that originated in California in the late 1970s.
Each team is comprised of four dogs that must consecutively jump four hurdles
and catch a tennis ball shot out of a spring-loaded box activated when
the dog steps on it. Then, it's back over the hurdles to the starting line
where the next team member then runs the course. The first team to finish
without errors wins the heat. Points accrue toward titles. The North American
Flyball Association governs the sport. More information can be found at
www.flyballdogs.com.
Herding is wildly popular in Colorado. Dogs move and sort sheep at handlers'
commands. Any breed or mixed breed dog can learn to herd. However, certain
breeds, like border collies and Australian shepherds, are born with the
herding instinct. These dogs take to the sport naturally.
Dock diving, a competition in which dogs leap off a dock in pursuit of
a disk, is scored by measuring the length of the jump from start line to
point of splashdown. Thus far, this area has few opportunities to compete
in this discipline.
Freestyle dancing, said Yamane, is hugely popular in other parts of the
country but not in Colorado. Dog/handler pairs execute various dance moves
to music, thereby making for a very entertaining performance for spectators.
Besides scored events governed by associations, mixed breed dogs can enter
fun matches that offer a taste of real competition for low entry fees.
The best way to locate these shows is via Yahoo Groups. A fun match is
held each spring at Edora Park in Fort Collins.
A particularly convenient web site is www.dogeventsonline.com. Membership
allows agility and flyball handlers to enter any event listed in the large
database by means of credit card or mailed-in check and an online entry
form with stored information.
Youngsters who'd like to compete should consider joining 4-H. Clubs give
members early life experience working in a competitive setting, as well
as a safe venue for making new friendships.
Denise Preuit is the superintendent for dog 4-H at the Larimer County Fair.
She said that children ages 8 to 18 can compete in obedience, showmanship
and, in Larimer County only, agility.
Obedience classes are divided by the dog's skill level (first year, second
year). Agility classes are also based on the dog's level. To compete, agility
dogs must be at least 1 year old by fair time so as not to damage immature
puppy bones. Showmanship divisions are junior, intermediate and senior,
based on the child's age.
Most years, about 100 dogs and their handlers compete at the Larimer County
Fair. Of those, only the top three represent the county at the state fair
in Pueblo.
For more information about dog 4-H, call the Extension Office at 498-6000.
The human/dog bond of mutual trust formed by competition is well worth
the effort and extensive practice required. Regardless of pedigree, points
or titles, that trust is the best reward.
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