PULLMAN,
The event starts at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 9, and runs daily beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. All events are free.
Nearly 150 dogs are registered for competition in the popular sport that involves running a dog through an obstacle course of jumps, ramps, tunnels and chutes. The dogs must complete the circuit error free and in the fastest time under their trainers’ command. The sport has received extensive television coverage on both ESPN and the Animal Planet networks in recent years.
Some proceeds of the event will go toward funding scholarships for the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Among the competitors will be Barb Davis, a math instructor at
“This event isn’t just fun to watch but also to participate in,” said Denise Waiting, a
“You rarely see a badly behaved agility dog,” said WSU veterinarian Dr. Debra Sellon, who is also a competitor. “The training involved with agility includes all the key elements you need to make good canine citizens.”
Competition involves three separate events. One is a standard competition, with a set number of jumps, poles and tunnels for the dog to maneuver. The second is a speed event, where canine athletes move quickly through a series of poles and jumps. And this year, a third event is being added, where the owners are judged on a course they design themselves, with extra points for distance and difficulty.
