Dogs display agility, athleticism

photo by Jenna Campbell

This Norwich terrier competed in the High Desert Agility Trials Saturday at the Fairplex in Pomona. The Norwich terrier is one of the smallest terriers, bred to hunt rodents. It is identified by its prick ears. The purpose of the dog agility trials is for the owners to demonstrate the dogs’ expertise in a variety of events. Dogs must be registered and at least 12 months old to participate.

by Amby Sarabia
Staff Writer

Wagging tails and heavy panting filled Fairplex Saturday as 250 different breeds of dogs competed in an agility contest hosted by the High Desert Agility Club.

Barn 9a, which usually holds cows and sheeps during the Los Angeles County Fair, was transformed into an obstacle course.

Hurdles, seesaws, climbing walls and hoops were spread throughout the barn, each item designed to challenge the participant trying to successfully overcome it.

Patricia Ernest, a Los Angeles resident, could not help but rave about her two dogs, Zooey, a yellow labrador retriever, and Phoebe, a black labrador retriever. Zooey, the older of the two, holds a doctorate of sorts.

“Zooey has a ‘master of excellence’ and a ‘master of excellence jumper’ after his name,” she said.

Ernest has entered Zooey in agility competitions for the past seven years.

She decided to enter him in competitions after learning retrievers such as Zooey have a high level of energy. When not put to use, the dog can become lazy and in some instances destructive.

“Zooey loves to do it,” Ernest said. “He just loves it.”

In order to become an agility winner, the participants must train hard. Ernest ensured that Zooey and Phoebe exercised three times out of the week and in some instances they were trained seven times a week.

“Zooey loves it but Phoebe isn’t as excited,” Ernest said.

Perhaps that is why she was smiling ear to ear when she learned that Phoebe was awarded second place.

“The dogs have fun and so do we,” said Pat Charlton, member of the High Desert Agility Club and event organizer.

Charlton has been running these shows for 10 years and explained that the participants can enter in either the novice, open, or excellent levels.

Each dog has a chance to win a title and move to the next level once they earn three legs.

“Results are based on faults and time,” she said.

If the participant knocks a bar, performs an obstacle out of sequence or refuses an obstacle, he or she will then be granted a fault.

If the dog performs the obstacle perfectly, he or she is then ranked according to the time it took to complete the course.

Sue Nelson, a Buena Park resident was anxiously waiting for her dog, Busters, heat to be called. Buster, a Havanese was accompanied by his friend Tina, also a Havanese.

“This is Buster’s second time competing,” Nelson said. “He is a lot more timid than Tina.”

While agility may not be Buster’s bowl of water, he has other talents to gloat about. Both dogs were featured on Animal Planet and are freestyle dancers. Nelson also owns the first Havanese to ever hold the agility title. This is more than a part time hobby.

Nelson takes time out each day to exercise her dogs in the agility course she constructed in her backyard, and also teaches her dogs obedience lessons and freestyle dancing techniques.

“I just love doing things with my dogs,” said Nelson. “ They give you a lot of love and affection.”

Win or lose, all participants received words of encouragement from their owners. “It’s just a fun thing to do,” said Ernest. “And they just love it.”