Profiles in Speed: National Agility Championship Competitors

What kind of dogs will compete at the 2005 National Agility Championships?

There’s Casey (MACH Triune’s KC Southern’s Casey), a Shetland Sheepdog who can sneeze on command. There’s Bull (Lakeside’s Admiral Halsey MX MXJ), a Miniature Schnauzer, bounces when he barks. Beckett (Fieldstone McMurphy Focal Point MX MXJ), an English Cocker Spaniel, will be there—he’s been skateboarding since the tender age of 4 months. Andy (MACH2 Kelly’s Awesome Andy CD), another Sheltie, loves to be pushed around the house in a laundry basket. And Katie (MACH4 Tialyn’s Kiss Me Kate CD), yet another Sheltie, expects to be picked up and carried over any mud puddle she encounters.

There will be many Shelties at the Championship, and lots of Border Collies, Golden Retrievers, and Australian Shepherds too. But Papillons, Parson Russell Terriers, and Miniature Schnauzers will be well-represented too. There will be a single Finnish Lapphund, Sugarok Nautittava UD MX MXJ. Finnish Lapphunds became eligible to compete in Companion Events in January 2004; Tavvi’s handler, Lorraine Paglini, “woke up Tavvi and told him we had work to do.” Between January and May, Tavvi earned nine titles, and is the first Lappy to earn a UD, MX and MXJ. (“He’s also the sweetest dog I’ve ever owned,” Paglini adds.)

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Keenonne’s Persephone AX MXJ	CH Barwoods The Paper Chase PT MX MXJ	Tradewind’s Island Emma CD AX MXJ	Uptown’s Fingal Of The Cave MX MXJ	MACH Reese’s Sir Pippin

Some of the dogs at the Championship were bred and selected specifically for agility. Blair Boyette, now 15, worked and saved for three years to buy her Australian Shepherd, Lacey (MACH Shoelaces Bandit Boyette). Janet Broida went looking for a female Australian Terrier puppy to train in Agility and was caught by surprise by a 10-month-old male—“One look was all it took. I knew I had found my first agility dog and my best buddy.” Darwin now has a MACH title. Other dogs and their owners fell into agility by accident or default. “George is the first dog I ever trained,” says Christine Gates of her West Highland White Terrier, Jebob’s Curious George MX MXJ. “We started agility because I needed to tire him out. Turned out he loves agility and has endless energy for it.”

For some of the dogs, Agility became a saving grace. Skyelar (MACH Skyler’s Silhouette N Silver), a Sheltie, was afraid of life, according to owner Laura Fearn. Two weeks in Agility class made his confidence soar; he now not only competes in Agility, but is a certified Therapy Dog as well. When Mary Welpton adopted Happy (Happy-Go-Lucky CDX MX MXJ), a Poodle, from the SPCA, she was anything but; she had already been rejected from three homes, was not housebroken, and suffered health problems and separation anxiety. Agility became a means to overcome her rough start; at her first trial, says Welpton, “she jumped onto the bar setter’s lap and showered her with kisses.”

Agility is not the only sport these canine superstars compete in; many are also titled in Conformation, Obedience, Herding, Earthdog, and Lure Coursing. Reba (MACH2 Ronlee’s Reba Hallitanner PT AXP AJP), a Sheltie, loves herding so much “she wishes there were sheep on the agility course,” says owner Karen Lewis. Many of the dogs have “jobs” as Therapy Dogs; some are actors or models. Others have devised their own jobs: Pippin (MACH Reese’s Sir Pippin), a Poodle, attempts to “put a stop to” any fun being had by bigger dogs by running up to them and “telling them off,” says owner Holly Schmidt. Pearle (CH MACH2 Brighteye Silver Pearle CDX) herds the family’s five Bernese Mountain Dogs around the living room. Emma (Tradewind’s Island Emma CD AX MXJ), a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, reminds her owner of their daily swim at precisely 3 o’clock every afternoon.

CH Woodland's Houston Outlaw SE MX MXJ	MACH8 Kevin A Litl Bit O Heaven CD	Inishmoor's Sean ST. Patrick CDX MX MXJ	MACH8 Chris's Ryan Adam CDX	Sugarok Nautittava UD MX MXJ

Some of the dogs competing will be at the Nationals for the very first time; others are back again for the second or third time. For Fluffy (MACH3 Fluffy Muegge CDX), a 12 year old Pomeranian, her first trip to the Nationals will also be her retirement party. “I have been trying to retire her for the past three years,” says owner Shirley Michaels. “Just when I think she is getting older and slower, she will come out with her fearless, feisty spirit and run her heart out.”

What unites all of these dogs, and their owners, is a gift for flying around the Agility course. Some, like Cardigan Welsh Corgi Chelsea (Bodyways She’s In Control MX MXJ), like the speed, especially the weave poles; some like the treats, like Sherry (Lorralee Taste of Oloroso VCD2 MX MXJ), a Sheltie who will do anything for cheese. Some even like the applause. Christina (MACH Christina Gift to Lily), a Shih Tzu, “plays shamelessly to the crowd and will greet her cheering fans before getting her treats,” says owner Dorann E. Banks.

But the best part about Agility, the teams seem to agree, is the dazzling harmony between dog and human that results in such awesome runs. After all, these dogs, with all their titles and their talent, are in the end, beloved pets. Nina Plail, owner of Sheltie Chase (CH Barwoods the Paper Chase PT MX MXJ), said it best: “Chase is the best dog and the best friend I have ever had the honor of sharing my life with.”

Good luck to all the teams!

Next month in Your AKC: Profiles of the National Obedience Invitational entrants