Dog agility has rapidly become the most popular of dog sports, with thousands of trials put on each year around the U.S. In 2010, AKC recorded a record 947,137 entries at agility trials around the country. Each year AKC picks about a dozen of the top dogs in the country to compete at the world championships. This year the championships were held in Lievin, France.
I was fortunate enough to accompany Scout's House and local house call veterinarian, Dr. Janet Dunn, and her very talented young Papillon, “Tantrum,” to the championships. Dr. Dunn (J.D. to her friends) and Tantrum had tried out for their first time for the AKC world team in May and won a spot on the team. That's J.D. and Tantrum at work in the photo. The chance to represent the USA at an international event is quite an honor and we were excited about the pending adventure.
The competition was everything we imagined and then some. The stadium seats up to 6,000 people and those seats were sold out weeks before the event. A record 36 countries competed this year and it was also the first year that China sent a team. Between the cheers, horns, music and dogs barking, we knew that we were in for a wild ride!
Three days of competition by some of the top dog and handler teams in the world followed and the US team had some amazing runs. A local dog and handler (a Redwood City resident) won the All Around Medium dog Gold Medal! And Tantrum and J.D. were amazing at their first World Championships, placing fourth in the small dog team jumping round.
I’m sure this is just the beginning of a very long and successful agility career for these two. Next year the championships are in the Czech Republic. Sounds like the possibility for another great adventure!