It was all about wagging, woofing and winning at the Salmon Arm Fairgrounds this weekend as the city hosted the 2024 BC Regional Dog Agility Championships.
Dogs of all breeds came with their people from around the province for the 22nd annual competition that had them running courses with jumps from four to 20 inches in height, a frame walkway and – a canine favourite – tunnels. Dogs are led through the course by runners using hand and voice commands and are judged on a point system with 350 needed to qualify for the nationals held in Ontario.
Volunteer Veronica Shortland, who came from Prince George, likened dog agility to that of steeplechases for horses. She added that dogs can start entering competitions at just 18 months old and, having entered her Pomeranian for years, said all breeds are welcome.
“Any dog can do it… well, wiener dogs don’t do so well,” she laughed, and did say the animals have to be in good shape and not overweight.
The agility championships are all about bragging rights, as contestants win ribbons for the first six places and rosettes for the top performers. There are no monetary prizes.
“You don’t earn money, you spend money,” Shortland said. “But you can say you placed at regionals.”
The top dogs from these regionals will compete at the National Championships in Maxville, Ont. from Aug. 15 to 18.
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