Today we headed a couple of miles down the road to watch some Agility Dog Trials that were held at the Belroi Kennel Club. A friend of mine from Richmond - Janet Bowers - had mentioned that she would be volunteering at the event so it was a good excuse to get out to see her and watch what intelligent dogs can do.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day to be doing anything outside and we were surprised by what a big event the Agility Trials were. The event lasts all weekend and runs from around 9 until 4 both days. There were dogs of all breeds (pure breeds that is) competing on courses of varying degrees of difficulty based on their class and level of training. The dogs we saw were mostly competing in the expert class.
Sequoia really enjoyed seeing all of the dogs. A lot of them looked like her two boys since Border Collies pretty well rule this event. Well I would say that the dogs looked a lot like our pups right up to the point when they took off and actually did what they were supposed to do and listened to their owners....
Sequoia split her time between the very slick wrap (a Mai Tei) that Colleen carries her in and riding in my arms. She even got some cuddling time in with a Corgie named Pippy that was competing in the trials. We would love to take the time to train our dogs to do this sort of thing - ideally Colleen believes we should get a couple dozen sheep for them to tend to - but since our youngest dog is a cross between the very agile Border Collie and the somewhat chunky Mastiff breeds, he has always told us his butt was too big to do agility courses.
Well certainly we saw plenty of very sleek, fast and amazing Border Collies flying around the courses - beautiful animals doing what they love.
But the we also saw this full figured lady (a Bull Mastiff like Yukon's dad) competing (or at least completing) the course and a light sort of went off in our heads. Yukon could do this (we never really questioned Rogue's abilities....) if we could find the time.
Our latest plan is to wait until Sequoia can walk and then let her train them. That should manage to keep everyone occupied and tired out ... sounds like a win - win to me....
1 comment:
I know the dog "contests" was the type of thing you've always been interested in....especially those pups of yours, with all of their active genes, would benefit from such intense physical and intellectual activity. Wish we'd been able to go with you, we'd have like it, too.
Good idea to have Sequoia take over THAT part of the doggie situation.
Grandmom
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