Agility Dogs Show Their Best - Photo Story

Photos and Story by Robert Thomas

In what is likely one of the largest turnouts in recent years close to 150 people - including 65 handlers - and 85 dogs were up at the Golden Mile Arena on Sunday afternoon.

The occasion was the Moose Jaw Dog Club hosted the regional qualifiers for the Agility Association of Canada (AAC) Regional Agility Trials on Saturday and Sunday.

The event brought dogs and their handlers from across Saskatchewan and Manitoba to compete and qualify for the national AAC championships to be held later in Ontario.

To qualify for nationals competitors had to achieve a standard score with points deducted for such things as missing a jump or knocking a jump down.

Here are some photos from the event.

A handler runs the course as her dog clears a hurdle right behind her - MJ Independent photo

A dog clears a hurdle keeping a close look on its handler for the next instructions - MJ Independent photo

“Tunnel, tunnel, tunnel” a dog hears the command and breaks out after running through a tunnel - MJ Independent photo

A dog is petted in congratulations after a successful run - MJ Independent photo

The interested spectators were both of the two and four legged variety - MJ Independent photo

A dog runs alongside its handler as they approach a hurdle - MJ Independent photo

Handlers walk the course prior to the run to familiarize themselves with the course - MJ Independent photo

A handler asks her dog athlete to clear a hurdle - MJ Independent photo

Some of the competitors at the well attended event - MJ Independent photo

An dog expertly weaves through an obstacle - MJ Independent photo

A jump through the tire seems easy - MJ Independent photo

A little extra encouragement is given as a dog successfully navigates the teeter totter - MJ Independent photo

A dog clears the second last hurdle - MJ Independent photo