Dogged determination

This Friday, dogs and their owners will run the Agility Course together at Nad Al Sheba

At the 14th Annual Pedigree Dog Show in Dubai to be held at Nad Al Sheba Golf Course on February 15, the best dogs will gather along with their owners. Sponsored by Pedigree, a pet food company, the proceeds of the show will go to Dubai-based K9 Friends, a charity organisation for dogs in the UAE.

"It is like a big game show, a play area for dogs which our family looks forward to every year," says Jane Reeves, a dog owner from Sharjah. One of the most interesting activities is the Agility Course. A fun activity open to all who come to the dog show and are willing to run as fast as their dog will allow them to race.

The Agility Course was introduced in the Dog Show by Julie Jackson of Animal Care Centre, Sharjah. She along with her team has been conducting the popular sport since it started in 1992.

At this year's show, registration for the Agility course will be done on the spot from 11.00am onwards. Heats will begin at 11.00am. The finals will be held at 4.00pm. The Dubai Police will also hold an Agility show for their dogs.

"For the past 11 years, we have been holding the race and it is becoming very popular here in Dubai," says Jackson. The idea is to run the course with your dog and the dog with the best timing is the winner.

This is a fun course which consists of a water jump, zig-zag track, through-the-loop, steeple chase jump, sit and stay, and many more obstacle jumps. The Agility Course is open to everybody who can run with a dog.

The competing dog can be a purebred one, a mix breed or a pedigree, a puppy or an adult dog. The Agility Course is where a dog shows its versatility in negotiating different obstacles.

It is designed to showcase their natural attributes. It also accords the owners the chance to show a dog's willingness to work with its handler under different situations. It allows them to leap through the air, climb high and run swiftly. These are all activities they love to do.

It is a fast growing sport and is fun and exciting for the participants and spectators alike. "The best part of the day is the Agility Course," says Helen Tahmasian who is a regular at the dog show.

Training and competing in the sport of agility is a rewarding experience. Agility trials are given at Animal Care Centre, Sharjah. Here dogs are trained to complete a prescribed course of obstacles and it is required to interact better with its handler.