Ready. Set. Go!
Lexington, Va., recently filled with the swiftest, most agile dogs in the nation vying for the top spot at the prestigious American Kennel Club National Agility Championship.
Moose Pass resident Erin Knotek and her border collie Bella was among the contenders. Also travelling with Erin were four other handler/dog teams from Alaska, including a border terrier, golden retriever, and two Shetland sheepdogs.
Kara Knotek, Erin's daughter, also traveled with the group. Although not competing at this event, Kara competes with her 3-year-old pembroke Welsh corgi Ivy in local shows.
Knotek competed against the top dog and handler teams in the country April 1-3 at the Lexington Horse Park.
During the event, Knotek and Bella ran the timed agility course, off-leash, striving for a perfect score of 100 in an event where any missed obstacles or other mistakes result in penalty faults which are deducted from the score.
Agility -- the AKC's fastest growing sport -- demonstrates a dog's willingness to work with its handler in a variety of situations. The athletic event requires top conditioning, concentration, training and, most importantly, teamwork as the agile dogs negotiate a tricky obstacle course, including weaving through poles, bounding over jumps, and balancing on boards.
For more information visit www.akc.org/events/agility/
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