There were 4,297 dogs in the running on day three. And because it was also the day of the Eukanuba selection, more time was needed, and therefore the main ring started rather early in the afternoon. No problems again on this day and as it was a Saturday there were a lot of visitors, and the trade stand holders were finally having a big smile. They were situated mainly in the hall of the main ring where no judging but the finals take place, and that is not such an ideal position, especially when the weather is nice and people prefer to stay out in the sunshine.

The main ring at the Hungexpo in Budapest is large enough to accommodate the dogs while affording judges, the public and the press ample room to watch the proceedings. All photos by Karl Donvil.

The main ring is large enough with one side bordering the Eukanuba stand. The left side was reserved for the judges and the press, while on both other sides large bleachers were placed for the public, but even that was not enough room for all to sit. It was not the most spectacular main ring maybe, but everything was there. The security around the ring was efficient, and the stewards did a good job. And the press was given space enough to take a proper shot of every winner. There was no podium, and the dogs were only lined up. Most handlers prefer this, as the dogs are much more at ease that way.

There were not such big numbers to be found on day three, but a lot of most interesting and rare breeds. The highest entry breed was the French Bulldog, with 229 specimens. The Beagle was almost as popular with 211 entries. Ridgebacks were also popular with 145 entries, as were the Weimaraners with 145 dogs in this show. Of course, the Magyar Vizsla had a nice entry, as it is probably the best-known Hungarian breed. The Rough-haired had 70 specimens and the smooth variety, 157. The Irish Setter scored well with 102 entries. In Group 9, we find the Pug as a good competitor in popularity as the Frenchie, with 180 of them, and the Chinese Crested came close with 178. Both varieties together with the Chihuahua werer on top with 154 Smooths and 158 Long-haireds, or 312 all together, and if I take all Poodle varieties together we finish with 354.

To sum up all the rare breeds would take me a long time, but when you see a Poitevin, you automatically say, “Wow!” A Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is maybe not so spectacular, but it is very rare compared to its little brothers, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens.

On Sunday we have Group 1, Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs; Group 8, the Retrievers and Waterdogs; and Group 10, the Sighthounds, followed by Best in Show. I know that we can expect strong competition.

Karl Donvil lives in Belgium, where he is a freelance photographer and reporter specializing in dogs. He founded the World Dog Press Association in 2001 and is the current CEO. He is a member of the editorial board of the FCI newsletter and covers shows throughout Europe, including Crufts and the World Dog Show.

Main Ring Results – World Dog Show 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013

Group 6 – Scenthounds
Judge Rui Oliveira, Portugal
1st: Rhodesian Ridgeback Faira Arif Kamilifu, owned by Angelina Evmenova, Russia
2nd: Beagle Szephegyi Szimat Virgonc, owned by Maria Semenova, Russia
3rd: Basset Artesien Normand Fricassee De Lapin Da Terra Quente, owned by Pedro Antonio Ribeiro Café, Portugal
4th: Dalmatian Dalmino Voodoo Vision, owned by Zeljka and Mihael Harper-Drazic, Croatia

Junior Group 6 – Scenthounds
Judge Stelios Makaritis, Greece
1st: Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Around Quite Special, owned by Annika Löfgren, Sweden
2nd: Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen Hocus Pocus Van Tum-Tum’s Vriendjes, owned by G. M. Huikeshoven, Netherlands
3rd: Dalmatian Araidan Naurava Kulkuri, owned by Mia Wallenius, Finland
4th: Basset Fauve De Bretagne Shiroblam Beau Vester, owned by P.A. Turton, U.K.

Group 7 – Pointers and Setters
Judge Hans Van Den Berg, Netherlands
1st: Gordon Setter Goango Black Booms, owned by Minna Malo, Finland
2nd: Pointer Wilchrimane Ice Maiden, owned by Annette Siddle, U.K.
3rd: Bracco Italiano Sobers Atticus, owned by Bitte Ahrens Primavera and Pierluigi Primavera, Italy
4th: Weimaraner Casa De Juno Amazin Grace, owned by Joao and Rute Soares, Portugal

Junior Group 7 – Pointers and Setters
Judge Miguel Angel Martinez, Argentina
1st: Wire-Haired Vizsla Zöldmáli Olivér, owned by Dorottya Kiss-Bartos, Hungary (also Junior Best of Day Winner)
2nd: Weimaraner The Golden Ring Carski Trakt, owned by N. Kostina, Russia
3rd: Spinone Italiano Stannamore Genroso Fred Junior, owned by Annette Wijnsouw, Poland
4th: Gordon Setter Ludstar Frederick Frankenstein, owned by Ludovica Salomon, Italy

Group 9 – Companion and Toy Dogs
Judge C. V. Sudarsan, India
1st: Lhasa Apso Chic Choix Cleopatra Eurydice, owned by Sanna Kopola-Hirsimaki, Finland
2nd: Black Toy Poodle Smash JP Winner Take It All, owned by Akiko Owada, Japan
3rd: Pekingese Will I Am At Stsanja, owned by N. Romanyuk, Russia
4th: Pug Tangetoppens Mysterious Ihle Grande, owned by Carina Glassér-Pohl, Sweden

Junior Group 9 – Companion and Toy Dogs
Judge Lisbeth Mach, Switzerland
1st: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dan Zlodziejska Zgraja, owned by Hsm Korkus, Poland
2nd: Pekingese Sunrise Dragon Step To Glory, owned by G. Ilchenko, Russia
3rd: Black Miniature Poodle Blackmore Hypnose, owned by Marie Laure Breviere, France
4th: Maltese Sunn De Lion Usten Haver, owned by I. Lobanova, Russia

As an added bonus, I often come across videos of these trials and competitions. Some videos are professionally done. Others almost look professional. And still others are clearly by amateurs who just want to record their dogs’ performance. Regardless, I never skip the opportunity to watch dogs actually doing what it is I’m reporting on.

I’ve seen many different performance events in person, of course, but I haven’t seen absolutely everything. One thing I’ve never been lucky enough to see is a lure-coursing trial. I so would like to, but it just hasn’t been doable yet.

But I have seen at least one that a lot of people haven’t – earthdog. As a matter of fact, one of my colleagues here at Best In Show Daily said a while ago that he had never seen those feisty Terriers and Dachshunds going to ground at an earthdog trial. He planned to attend one recently, and I hope he made it. There is nothing better, in my opinion, than seeing dogs do something, or an approximation of something, they were intended to do.

So, today, I’d like to share a few of my favorite videos of dogs going absolutely crazy doing what they love to do – exercising their instincts while also pleasing their owners or handlers. Often it’s hard to tell if they’re more excited by the activity or the magnificent love they get afterward.

Either way, I’m pretty sure almost any of our dogs would appreciate a chance to give some of these not-so-common sports a try. But at the very least, I’m positive at least a few of these videos will bring a smile to your face.

Earthdog sends dogs underground to corner their quarry. Videos catch the dogs in action. Photo by Krista Droop.

So, let’s start with earthdog. This first video shows an introduction to quarry and a junior earthdog trial with the same dog and has nice titles describing what’s required for each. Clearly Sophie’s owner is a tad excited when the judge announces that she’s passed. The second video is quite a bit longer and shows the other end of the spectrum: two dogs working for their Master Earthdog titles. I like this one because, though the trial is held on a Christmas tree farm, you can hear birds trilling and dead flora crunching underfoot. It’s like a trip to the great outdoors from the comfort of your easy chair. The man trialing his Cairn has a control over his dog – just with his voice – that I admire.

In flyball, as in many dog sports, owners must restrain their dogs to keep them from taking off too soon. Here a dog is released to take his jumps, grab his ball and return. Photo courtesy of Leerie Jenkins.

Flyball is a sport I’ve never seen live. It’s just one of those things that I haven’t pursued sufficiently to find a tournament at a time and place that works for me.

The North American Flyball Association CanAm Classic is one of the biggest flyball competitions each year. You can watch the 2012 finals here. I think the announcers are having as much fun as the dogs, but it’s clear that the competitors really want to run.
The flyball finals at Crufts are in quite a different setting. Jumps are spotlighted in turquoise and purple before the hall lightens for the teams to enter. Once the dogs start running, it starts to look a lot like any other flyball competition. But it’s certainly nice to be able to see an event that happened all the way across the Atlantic without getting on an airplane.

While this photograph by Hunter’s Run Action Photography wonderfully captures the motion of a dog during the 2012 AKC National Lure Coursing Championship, videos show how the trials work.

This rather lengthy video of lure coursing is complemented by an eclectic soundtrack and some funny captions about what’s going on. In case you don’t recall, dogs wear colored vests while racing so that they can be identified as they speed over the lure course. For a little different view, check out the tallest dogs in the world going after a lure in this video of an American Sighthound Field Association trial for Irish Wolfhounds. A warning: one dog appears to get caught in the line in the second race, but everyone looks to be fine afterward.

Canine freestyle is a lot more than music and costumes. Photo courtesy Susan Brogan.

It can be hard for some dog people to accept K9 musical freestyle or canine freestyle as a sport. However, those who participate certainly do, and some would argue that the obedience required to compete successfully puts it in the same arena as traditional obedience or rally obedience. While music, costumes and entertainment are all part of the competition, it’s the difficulty and creativity of the canine behaviors that really count.

Clearly the dogs and some of the owners in this video of the final of the 2012 championship at the World Dog Show in Salzburg are true athletes. And finally, the quality of my last favorite performance video for today isn’t the best, but the routine is such a crowd pleaser that I had to include it.

Enjoy!

Dog lovers from throughout Hungary and beyond have traveled to the Hungexpo in Budapest to attend the 2013 World Dog Show. All photos by Karl Donvil.

Again, there were no traffic problems and no rain to spoil things, so there were few if any complaints. The big problem with the traffic in 2008 had to do with the fact that the exhibitors needed to pay for the parking as they came in, and who has Forints, the Hungarian money, when arriving? This year visitors only need to pay on leaving, which is more logical. The Kennel Club is also working in much closer cooperation with the police. Bathing everything in a more relaxed atmosphere, these and a few other small changes have done wonders. If one is already overstressed before everything starts, you can only expect bad tempers and troubles to come.

These changes are, in fact, the positive outcome of the big troubles the show encountered months ago, when preparations for the show were already in an advanced phase. The concurrence of a separated Kennel Club lobbied with the government and brought the Hungarian Kennel Club, the MEOE, into an outlaw situation if the World Dog Show would take place. Big penalties were imposed, too much to bear for the MEOE. But so many dog lovers would have been affected and would have led to a year in history without a World Dog Show, as there was no time for another country to take over. Fortunately, the FCI could impose enough weight to make the government capitulate.

On Friday there was one Group scheduled, the biggest in the FCI system, the Guard and Protection dogs, good for as many as 62 breeds or varieties. And the numbers are accordingly high, with 4,598 entries, only slightly less than the total number of the three Groups the first day. But apart from the World Show, there was today also the INTERRA Show, the International Terrier show, with around 600 entries from what I heard, as there is little information to be found on this.

The most numerous breed was the Cane Corso, with no fewer than 317 entries. Dobermanns ended up with 250 in total, the brindle and fawn Boxers were good for 282, and there were 252 Great Danes, 213 Bernese Mountain Dogs and 400 Zwergschnauzers (Miniature Schnauzers), all colors. Rare breeds were of course not numerous by definition, including four Cimarron Uruguayos, three Danish-Swedish Farmdogs and their eight compatriots, the Broholmers, 14 Tornjaks, nine Ciobanesk Romanesk De Bucovina, two Cao Fila Sao Miguel, three Cao de Castro Laboriero and even three Kraski Ovcar. Probabably due to the overwhelming presence of Russian exhibitors here, it was interesting to see so many of their native breeds, like the 102 Kaukasian Ovtcharkas, 112 South Russian Ovtcharkas, and of course the Russkiy Tchiorny Terrier, or Black Russian Terrier, good for 132 specimens. A few additional popular and well-represented breeds were the Dogo Argentino with 177 entries, the Bulldog with 173, the Bullmastiff with 163, the Dogue des Bordeaux with 142 dogs to colour that ring, the 114 Newfoundlands, the 102 Tibetan Mastiffs and a nice number of 213 Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Karl Donvil lives in Belgium, where he is a freelance photographer and reporter specializing in dogs. He founded the World Dog Press Association in 2001 and is the current CEO. He is a member of the editorial board of the FCI newsletter and covers shows throughout Europe, including Crufts and the World Dog Show.

Main Ring Results – World Dog Show 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013

Group 2 – Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain Dogs
Judge Ole Staunskjaer, Denmark
1st: Leonberger Skjaergaardens Valentine Rua Soleil, owned by Natalia Romanova, Russia
2nd: Miniature Schnauzer (Black/Silver) Steadlyn Recognition, owned by Irene Ejerstad Conti Mia, Estonia
3rd: Chinese Shar-Pei Jade East Catch Me If You Can, owned by Esmae Minne, L.B. Anders, K.R. Nijholt, Netherlands
4th: Dogo Argentino Mojave Do Bravure Del Ayar, owned by Leonardo Grazio, Italy

Junior Group 2 – Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain Dogs
Judge Rafael Malo Alcrudo, Spain
1st: Great Dane Diamante Della Baia Azzurra, owned by Fabio Ottaviani, Italy
2nd: Bullmastiff Maya Amber Dream, owned by Katarzyna Piesecka, Poland
3rd: Bulldog Big Maple V-Storm, owned by Jose Antonio Garcia Garrote, England
4th: Caucasian Ovcharka Al Halil Han Krepkiy Oreshek, owned by N. Khalilova, Russia

“It’s so inspiring to see residents of these five communities – and beyond – rally behind the shelters and everyday heroes providing invaluable support to shelter dogs in their hometowns,” said Miranda Lambert. “I am proud to partner with PEDIGREE to recognize these communities and provide them with resources that allow them to further the work they do for shelter dogs.”

Because of the dedication from dog lovers throughout the program, shelters in Detroit/Flint, Mich. and Erie, Pa. will now be able to focus on what matters most – helping more dogs in need find loving homes. Upon learning that their shelters were selected to be part of the PEDIGREE Feeding Project, they shared:

“Not only is it great food, but the dogs love it. The resources we will save from the PEDIGREE Feeding Project will allow us to accommodate the other increasing needs of neglected animals in our community. This helps us expand our outreach programs to keep more animals from becoming homeless.” – Elaine Greene from Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter

“With a consistent diet of PEDIGREE, our dogs will not only have full bellies, but less digestive problems and nutrient loss caused by the stress of constant diet changes and other factors that arise while in a shelter. Our fundraising can continue with a stronger focus on the special-needs of the animals.” – Elicia Pace from Humane Society of Northwest Pennsylvania

“We are on a tight budget. Having the PEDIGREE Feeding Project will help us provide better food to the dogs in our shelter and focus on adoption programs.” – Walt Rodabaugh from Genesee County Animal Control

“Every penny counts here at the ANNA Shelter – not having to worry about feeding expenses while still providing high quality pet food is a dream come true for us. Our community has never let us down – we couldn’t have done this without Erie’s support.” – Ruth Thompson Carroll of the ANNA Shelter

“Although the area is starting to recover financially, we still have financial hardship and a high unemployment rate. As the world moves on, many animals in this community have been left behind. Having PEDIGREE provide food for our dogs gives us extra dollars to continue to impact the lives of dogs in our community and give them hope. And hope is what MARL is about.” – Kayla Allen of Michigan Animal Rescue League

“During the course of this effort, we loved learning about the many shelters and organizations providing important resources to support dogs in need,” said Jeff Hingher, senior brand manager, PEDIGREE Brand. “We are proud to support two additional communities through the PEDIGREE Feeding Project and the great work they do every day to help dogs find loving homes.”

While it’s too soon to measure the exact impact of the program, shelters in Nashville and Chicago have not only seen physical benefits to the more than 15,000 homeless dogs that have had a consistent diet of professional nutrition, but have also been able to make a holistic difference to the programs they are able to support.

“Since starting the PEDIGREE Feeding Project, we have seen a number of positive effects,” said Doug Brightwell, director of Williamson County Animal Control & Adoption Center. “Our dogs are now receiving a consistent and nutritious diet that is improving their health and their chances for adoption to a forever home. We’re using the monies previously spent for food to provide medications and medical procedures that may not have been in the budget before the PEDIGREE Feeding Project.”

The PEDIGREE brand thanks everyone who participated in the program – particularly all the residents and shelters that were nominated as finalists from Jackson, Miss., Jacksonville, Fla., and Wausau, Wis. PEDIGREE Brand knows that each and every one of these shelters works hard every day to help dogs find loving homes. To honor their work and to thank everyone in the communities who supported their local shelters, the brand will feed each shelter for one month at no cost.

For more information about the PEDIGREE Feeding Project and to follow the story of the new participating communities, visit www.Facebook.com/Pedigree.

The PEDIGREE® Feeding Project
As the world’s largest dog food brand, PEDIGREE Food for Dogs realizes it has the potential to impact more dogs’ lives than any other brand. Support from PEDIGREE Brand will allow participating shelters to save up to $100,000 a year without having to worry about food for their dogs. With the money saved, shelters will be able to fund programs that focus on helping more dogs find loving homes. Already, more than 15,000 shelter dogs have received the professional nutrition they deserve through the first year of The PEDIGREE Feeding Project – started in 2012 in Nashville and Chicago, two cities with an abundance of homeless pets – and now the PEDIGREE Brand is ready to help even more shelter dogs by adding Detroit/Flint, Mich. and Erie, Pa. to the program.

About the PEDIGREE ® Brand
The PEDIGREE ® Brand is the number one brand of dog food in the world, offering a wide variety of products for different dog life stages. As an innovative market leader, the PEDIGREE ® Brand is at the forefront of pet nutrition and understands pet owner needs by providing a range of innovative products and resources. For more information, please visit www.Pedigree.com.

About Mars Petcare US
Mars Petcare US is the U.S. operations of the world’s largest petcare company at the privately-held Mars, Incorporated. Mars Petcare US produces some of the world’s most beloved pet care brands, including PEDIGREE® Food for Dogs, CESAR® Canine Cuisine, SHEBA® Food for Cats, WHISKAS® Food for Cats, THE GOODLIFE RECIPE® Brand, and TEMPTATIONS® Treats for Cats, as well as exclusive brands products for some of the leading retailers in the U.S. Headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., more than 2,400 Mars Petcare US associates make, sell and distribute its high-quality pet food from 15 manufacturing facilities located in communities across the U.S. For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

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SOURCE PEDIGREE Brand

CONTACT: Melissa Martellotti, 615-521-5022, Melissa.Martellotti@effem.com, Laura Ude, 312-988-2349, LUde@webershandwick.com
Web Site: http://www.Pedigree.com

That edition was one that brings back bad memories to many exhibitors. As only one gate was open to get onto the show grounds, and due to the underestimated traffic, a lot of exhibitors were stuck in traffic for hours, some no more than a couple of hundred meters from the halls. Leaving the car was no option, despite driving many hours to arrive. It was a big frustration to many. But there was no repeat this year. There was no queue at the gate, and the first 4,776 dogs and their owners managed to get in well in time. No fewer than 72 countries are participating, giving the prefix “World” real meaning.

FCI board members and dignitaries honored outgoing FCI President Hans Müller at the National Championship Show that preceded the World Dog Show. From left are Mr. Tamas Jakkel, FCI and Hungarian Kennel Club board member; Mr. Yves Declercq, FCI CEO; Mr. Hans Müller, outgoing FCI president; Mr. Rafael de Santiago, new FCI president; and Mr. András Korózs, Hungarian Kennel Club president. All photos by Karl Donvil.

Hungary itself has 3,374 entries, followed by Russia with 2,837 dogs and Italy with 1,734. But dogs came from as far as Argentina (17), Australia (13), Brazil (38), South Korea (5), Egypt (6), Ivory Coast (4), Indonesia (2), Iceland (1), Israel (40), Japan (41), Canada (20), China (8), Kazakhstan (5), Kirgizstan (1), Colombia (1), Malaysia (1), Mexico (20), Philippines (1), Peru (3), Puerto Rico (4), Taiwan (1), Turkey (7), Uruguay (1) and even Rwanda (2). The United States had a good entry of 57 and the United Kingdom, 215. Amazing, in fact!

Budapest has welcomed dog fanciers from more than 70 nations to the 2013 World Dog Show on the 80th anniversary of the Hungarian Kennel Club’s membership in the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

The breed with the largest entry is the American Staffordshire with 420 specimens. The second largest on Day 1 was the Siberian Huskies with 199 entries. Other high entries were found in Akitas, with 150 entries, while the American Akitas had 158 altogether.

Imagine 156 Pomeranians turning in circles at the ends of their leashes or looking up to their masters, 189 Jack Russells making noise, 169 Staffordshire Bull Terriers hanging on the leashes, and no fewer than 172 Yorkshires trying to please their masters, playing statues on their red little tables. And here is another list – the rare breeds. Have you ever seen a Hokkaido or a Kai, two breeds that are very rare outside Japan? Even in Japan they are regarded as special. Do you have any idea what a Jämthund looks like? Or the Korean Jindo Dog? And what about the Thai Bankaew Dog? All of these were found at the World Dog Show on Day 1.

Karl Donvil lives in Belgium, where he is a freelance photographer and reporter specializing in dogs. He founded the World Dog Press Association in 2001 and is the current CEO. He is a member of the editorial board of the FCI newsletter and covers shows throughout Europe, including Crufts and the World Dog Show.

Main Ring Results – World Dog Show 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013

Group 3 – Terrier
Judge András Korózs, Hungary
1st: Wire Fox Terrier Travella Starlord, owned by Victor Malzoni Jr., Brazil
2nd: Cairn Terrier Hjohoo’s Save Hjour Love For Me, owned by Victor Malzoni Jr., Brazil
3rd: American Staffordshire Terrier Don King of Rings, owned by Miloje Cirovic, Serbia
4th: Welsh Terrier Nagant From Michel, owned by Pmj Krautscheid, Netherlands

Junior Group 3 – Terrier
Judge Martha Heine, Germany
1st: Manchester Terrier Burmack’s Something To Talk About At Aztec Sun, owned by Jo Acton, U.S. (Junior Best of Day Winner)
2nd: Australian Terrier Mongrel’s Dingo, owned by Kudinova Natalia, Russia
3rd: Sealyham Terrier All About Aksel of Cesky Dreams uelle, owned by Michael Weser, Germany
4th: Yorkshire Terrier Eagle Heart Stribrine Prani, owned by Alena Bystranska, Czech Republic

Group 4 – Dachshunds
Judge Luis Pinto Teixeira, Portugal
1st: Rabbit Smooth Dachshund Formula Uspeha Colibri, owned by I. Yu, Hapaeva, Russia
2nd: Rabbit Wirehaired Dachshund Magik Rainbow Primadona, owned by Victoria Ivanova, Russia
3rd: Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund Enrique Boza Alpheratz Kennel, owned by Enrique Boza Alpheratz Kennel, Spain
4th: Standard Smooth Dachshund Zoldachs Filosofic, owned by Eva Majoros, Romania

Junior Group 4 – Dachshunds
Judge Horst Kliebenstein, Germany
1st: Standard Smooth Dachshund Konijak Iz Strani Grez, owned by Natalia Ozeryanskay, Russia
2nd: Miniature Longhaired Dachshund Janis Toklarama’s, owned by Attila Schlosser, Hungary
3rd: Miniature Wirehaired Dachshund American Express, owned by Eleonora Azzini, Italy
4th: Rabbit Longhaired Dachshund Zhemchuzhina Peterburga Marseillise, owned by E.I. Fomicheva, Russia

Group 5 – Spitz and Primitive Types
Judge Kari Jarvinen, Finland
1st: Samoyed Cabaka’s Pretty Good Ideal, owned by Gitte Morell, Denmark
2nd: Siberian Husky Pourple Rain Galladria Novitaris, owned by Bartosz Staszek, Poland
3rd: Xoloitzquintli (Standard) Tecoman, owned by Hugo Fernando Avalos Gutierrez, Mexico
4th: Xoloitzquintli Un Papalote Caliente Mex, owned by Criadero Caliente, Mexico

Junior Group 5 – Spitz and Primitive Types
Judge Svend Lovenkjaer, Denmark
1st: Siberian Husky Bright Colour Dream Speigas, owned by Viktoria Rozanova, Russia
2nd: Cirneco Dell’Etna Quincy Del Gelso Bianco, owned by Giovanna Motta, Italy
3rd: American Akita Estava Rain Play Magic, owned by Friedrich Birkmar, Norway
4th: Basenji Taji Hodari Flies To Loango, owned by Dorota Muller, Poland

Agility, dock jumping, JRT racing, flying disc and weave-pole racing brought the challenge, while the venue and climate provided the amenities. “The weather was beautiful,” says Lourdes Edlin, the spokesperson-trainer for the Incredible Dog Challenge. “It was on the warm side, but with a little overcast.” Spa Beach Park is on a peninsula, and the bay served as a “gorgeous” backdrop, she says.

Autumn Trainor shows off Karizma’s freestyle flying disc moves, which earned the team third-place in the eastern regional of the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge earlier this month in St. Petersburg, Fla. All photos courtesy of Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge.

Open qualifying the previous day added some water- and flying-disc-loving dogs to the lineup for dock jumping and freestyle flying disc, but the big competitions were the next day when performance dogs recommended by top handlers and invited by Purina Pro Plan arrived for the tests of their skills.

The St. Petersburg challenge is the second in a trio of annual events which began in Las Vegas in March and will conclude in October in Gray Summit, Mo., at the Purina Event Center. That’s where the winners of the 2012 Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge Nationals will defend their titles against the 2013 first-place western and eastern regional winners.

This move by a young competitor wasn’t enough to place at the challenge. For the first time, possibly in all 16 years of the event’s history, no Border Collie placed in freestyle flying disc.

Into the Air
Flying disc always draws a crowd wherever it’s held, and the challenge is no exception. Despite the nice temperature, by the time the dogs hit the grass for this event, a storm had started to move in, Edlin says. “The wind picked up. The winner of that event was going to be whoever had the least wind for their two-minute round. As a handler, you can be wiser, but you can’t control the wind.” Plus, she says, once the dog commits to its jump, it can’t change its trajectory, regardless of what the wind does. And that day’s wind was “very gusty,” she adds. The dog “can’t make changes in the air.” One handler had to cope with a “short, little spurt of rain” that lasted pretty much through that one two-minute period. “He handled it very well.” Edlin explains that it’s not the rain that’s such a problem – unless mud develops – but that the spectators start dashing for cover, making noise and opening umbrellas if they have them. “There’s a lot happening in the audience,” she says. “Like a pro, he kept going.” This is why, she points out, that training “in all different sorts of weather is important.”

Andrea Rigler and Australian Cattle Dog mix Moxie walked – or leaped, you could say – off with the first-place win. The duo, from Jupiter, Fla., earned a score of 90.5, just one-half point higher than the second-place winners – Gary Duke and Australian Shepherd Bayer of Wesley Chapel, Fla. And Duke and Bayer beat the third-place winners, Autumn Trainor and Kelpie-Australian Cattle Dog mix Karizma from Murfreesboro, Tenn., again by only a half of a point. So, the winning scores were 90.5, 90 and 89.5. The highest score possible is 102, with up to 50 points for the handler’s skills, 50 for the dog’s skills, plus bonus catch points. Trainor and Karizma would have tied for third with Jason Rigler and his Australian Shepherd Kai except for a bonus catch the third-place team made.

This challenge was the first time Edlin can remember that no Border Collies came out on top. As to breed popularity in flying disc, she says, “It goes back and forth in this sport. When it first started, the Whippet was really popular, then Border Collies became popular.” Because Australian Shepherds have a lot of “hang time” – when they seem almost to float in the air – their popularity has grown in recent years, she says. “Border Collies do more analysis before making the jump for the disc.” When she’s judging this event, Edlin says she likes to see a variety of moves, turns, tosses and catches, as well as routines that are so good they “just demand the attention of the audience.”

She was so impressed with how all of the handlers handled the wind that if she could have placed them all in first place, she would have. “They really did a great job,” she says.

A lone Jack Russell Terrier stretches out to clear a hurdle on the tail of his competitors during one race at the challenge’s eastern regional.

After the Lure
The Jack Russell hurdle races were a little more straightforward: love to run, love to chase, love to jump, and you’ve got yourself a hurdler. As we all know, neither wind nor rain will stop a JRT from its intended goal.

Six at a time of the 24 dogs entered race in a series of heats, chasing a lure over a series of hurdles, then into the hole where the lure disappears. All of the dogs wear muzzles – just in case one gets over-zealous in its need for prey gratification. The energetic dogs’ handlers wait just past the lure hole to literally grab their dogs at the end of the race.

“It’s a lot of fun to watch. It really is,” Edlin says. “There’s always one dog that decides the fastest line from ‘A’ to ‘B’ is not going over the jumps. It’s hard not to smile.” The event is total instinct and fun, she says. “I own a Jack Russell, so I know when they get into that instinct mode.” They make that “screaming sound. You see that kind of excitement, you know they’re doing something over the top [for them].”

The fastest dog in the eastern regional was 1-year-old Drako, who traveled from Zephyrhills, Fla., with his trainer, Darren Shriver, for the event. Taking second was 6-year-old Maverick, trained by Jason Jones of Leesburg, Fla., and in third was 6-year-old Trouble who trains in Tampa, about 30 minutes from Spa Beach Park, with Justin Caynor.

While Trouble lives fairly close to St. Petersburg, many dogs and handlers also from Florida showing up in the placements traveled much farther. Not unlike California, it’s a big state, and it can take more than a full day to travel from one end to the other. Edlin concedes that St. Petersburg is not one of the easiest places to get to in the state; it’s about midway down and on the western coast facing the Gulf of Mexico.

A Labrador Retriever holds on tight to the bumper thrown by his handler during the diving dog competition.

Off the Dock
The distance didn’t stop Tony Lampert and his Belgian Malinois Baxter from getting on a plane in St. Louis, though, to compete in the diving dog competition. No doubt they were happy they did, as one of Baxter’s jumps – of 29 feet and 11 inches – earned him first place.

Every dog invited jumps twice into 19,000 gallons of water, then the top dogs jump again. The single longest jump determines the winner.

Edlin says this sport, too, has seen a change in the breeds that excel. First it was Labrador Retrievers, then Border Collies, and now the Belgian Malinois seem to be the dogs to beat. In fact, at the western regional, two Belgian Malinois and a Dutch Shepherd were the top three winners.

One thing that was very different from the western regional was the length of the winning jumps. The top dog jumped 31 feet and 3 inches in Las Vegas. That’s a full 16 inches farther than Baxter did, despite the fact that the pool, dock and rules are the same in both competitions.

Sending a dog flying off into the water isn’t as popular a sport in Florida as it is in the west, Edlin says. “People don’t even realize they have the talent in their own home.”

Two southerners who do know their dogs’ skills took second and third in diving dog: Brianna Minshew and Border Collie Knox of Rome, Ga., with a jump of 29 feet and 10 inches, and Chelsey Conklin and Labrador Retriever Ryder of St. Lucie, Fla., with a leap of 28 feet and 11 inches.

While the dogs had good weather for jumping in Florida and Las Vegas, those moving on to compete in Missouri in October will face different conditions. “Temperatures can vary. It can be a lot colder or too warm,” Edlin says.

Sixty weaves – 30 up and 30 back – don’t daunt this happy Corgi.

Through the Poles
One competition unique to the challenge is the 30-weave up-and-back. The dog must weave through 30 of the poles more commonly seen on agility courses, run through a tunnel, then return through the poles. Two dogs, on side-by-side courses, run at the same time.

And they don’t do it just once. The first- and second-place dog end up running the gauntlet, so to speak, five times.

Border Collies exerted the same prowess they show in agility with the weave competition. As a matter of fact, the same dog won the large-dog agility event and the 30-weave: Kate, who was handled by Sara Duke of Welsey Chapel, Fla., in both sports. Edlin says it’s “very unusual” for the same dog to win both. “Just because a dog is fast in agility doesn’t mean he’s fast at weave poles.”

Another unusual sight for the challenge was a Belgian Malinois entered in both large agility and 30-weave whose handler was in a wheelchair. To do that, Edlin says, Gene Glastetter of Paducah, Ky., “had to get a lot of hand signals on his dog,” 5-year-old Versace. Such accommodation has long been allowed at American Kennel Club agility matches, and at least one woman now competes from a Segway.

Placing second in the weaving event was Annette Alfonso and Border Collie Poison of Tamarac, Fla. Third place ended in a tie between Michelle Mauro and Shetland Sheepdog Mojo of Lutz, Fla., and Debbie Hartzell and Beagle-Pug mix Sasha of Holmes Beach, Fla. Mojo and Sasha were dual winners as well, when Mojo won second, and Sasha, third, in small-dog agility.

A handler sends her dog through the 10th obstacle of the agility course at the challenge.

Over, Under, Through and Across
Sasha so impressed Edlin that she singled her out for comment. While admitting that the mixed breed is “very cute,” it was how the little dog handled the “very technical course” that wowed Edlin. “It required a lot of discrimination and obstacle focus, and the dogs had to really focus on the handlers.” Little Sasha ran a clean run, meaning that there were no additions to her time due to faults, such as not touching the target zone at the end of a teeter-totter or jumping off an “A”-frame too high from the ground.

Another reason Edlin noted Sasha’s performance was that, she says, you rarely see Beagles or Pugs at this level of competition. “With Beagles, it’s really hard to get their noses off the ground. Their noses rule their hearts.” Pugs, with their flat faces, have difficulty cooling themselves, so “performance sports are hard on them.” While she has seen both breeds compete in agility, she says, “You don’t see them that often.”

A “very fast” Shetland Sheepdog had the best time in the small-dog agility event, not an unusual happening in a sport dominated by Borders and Shelties. That was Bode, handled by Julie Martinez of Dover, Fla., with a run time 35.24, fault-free. Sasha ran 41.9, also fault-free. Mojo managed his third place with a time of 46.57, including a 10-second addition for a fault.

Edlin also pointed out a “very fast” Corgi, Keebler, who came in 4th for handler Roger Sullivan of Gahanna, Ohio. She called him a “methodical worker” who “handled the course very well,” just missing a medal with a run of 48.77, which included a 10-second addition.

The course was “more about accuracy than speed,” she says. “I actually ran the course to check it out, and it was very hard to get a clean run.” She says super-fast dogs may have been at somewhat of a disadvantage because as they pick up speed, they tend to flatten their bodies over the jumps. If they flatten out too much, they don’t have enough arch to get over without hitting the bars – a fault. The “jumper style” of the course helped dogs like Sasha, she says.

No big surprises awaited those entering or watching the large-dog agility. In addition to Kate, the Border Collie who took first with a winning run of 32.36, two other Border Collies filled the space on the podium: Legend, handled by Alfonso, with a winning time of 34.12, and Blitz, handled by Jordan Connelly of Tampa, with a time of 35.21.

One nice surprise for dogs, whether they were competing or just having a fun day out with their owners, was the opening of the beach at the edge of Spa Beach Park to canine swimmers for the day. What better ending to a day in Florida?

To watch a video of the highlights of the 2012 PPPIDC National, click here. After watching it, you can also see videos of the western regional 2013 flying disc and flyball competitions.

Grace Slick in 1969 and Today

Next month I will return to Northern California where I spent almost 30 years of my life. Both of my children were born in the San Francisco Bay area. My son, my daughter-in-law and my two granddaughters still live there, in Martinez, just across the river from Vallejo, the site of the four-show cluster known as “Woofstock.” The name of the cluster, hosted by the Lake County Kennel Club of Northern California and the Contra Costa Kennel Club, is taken from the 1969 music festival. Woodstock remains the most vivid image of the hippie era, an era that began in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district in 1967 during what is remembered as the Summer of Love.

Like most college freshmen of that era, I considered myself one of the flower children, a true believer of peace, love and understanding. While I was never enamored of the drugs, strange clothes or bad hygiene associated with the movement, I did love the music. One Woodstock musician who mesmerized me was Grace Slick, the bad girl lead singer for a group called Jefferson Airplane. While Grace couldn’t match Janis Joplin for raw emotion, she was a lot better looking. The band was based in San Francisco and lived in a black Victorian mansion with red trim on San Francisco’s iconic Alamo Square. I longed to move to San Francisco. In 1976 my dream came true. We moved to a tiny house with a big ocean view just south of San Francisco. By that time my flower child days were behind me. I had a new son and a serious job working with refugees. The Haight was occupied by trendy, overpriced restaurants and boutiques. Grace’s voice and face were showing the wear of years of hard partying. Hippies had given up selling flowers in favor of aggressive panhandling.

However, the dog game was a beautiful refuge. Most of the venues were beautiful, and most of the people were friendly and welcoming. I think that’s one of the reasons I have stayed with the dog game for so long. While the sport has evolved, the sense of community has remained strong. As we’ve traveled to shows over the years, we have had Jefferson Airplane, the Bee Gees, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Katy Perry on the car stereo. When we reached our destination, we would still see men dressed in a jacket & tie, and women in skirts & dresses. Conversations would be polite & civil, and at an appropriate volume. If you needed help, many would offer to assist. If you were asked to help, you would not hesitate.

Today the Bay Area is full of smug people who believe they have the right to tell everyone else how to live their lives. There are cities where you cannot smoke a cigarette anywhere outside and others that will not allow you to smoke in a zero lot line home you own. The city of Oakland barely survived a weeks-long siege by the anarchists associated with the “Occupy” movement. My wife recently said at a dinner with friends, “I want to move back to California.” I told her, “You can’t. It’s not there anymore. The California we lived in is not there anymore.” I look forward to celebrating my youth at Woofstock, but can’t help thinking that the sport of dogs has aged better than the Bay Area, Grace and I have. And that’s today’s Back Story.