Agile dogs vault to the head of the pack.Byline: Jim Feehan The Register-Guard The dance with the Doberman ended in 32 seconds. That's how long it took Kestrel kestrel Any of several birds of prey (genus Falco) known for hovering while hunting. Kestrels prey on large insects, birds, and small mammals. The male is more colourful than the female. Kestrels are mainly Old World birds, but one species, the American kestrel (F. to zip through a winding obstacle course during Monday's dog trials competition at the Lane Events Center. And that's how Craig French of Woodburn, Kestrel's owner, sees dog trials: as a well-choreographed dance between dog and handler. "Focus, attention and motivation are key," said French, a retired U.S. Air Force test pilot and a dog trainer for the past 32 years. About 250 dogs came from throughout the West Coast to participate in the four-day event that concluded Monday at the Lane Events Center. The agility trials were sponsored by Eugene Kennel Club Kennel Club the principal body for maintaining stud books and registering purebred dogs in Great Britain. and McKenzie Cascade Dog Fanciers. Similar to equestrian steeplechase steeplechase Either of two distinct sporting events: (1) a horse race over a closed course with obstacles, including hedges and walls; or (2) a footrace of 3,000 m over hurdles and a water jump. , the team that communicates most effectively takes home top prize, French said. Lynda Hammond added that trials are about enjoyment, for both parties. "Agility is all about praise, love and attention," said Hammond of Issaquah, Wash., whose blue Doberman, Indy, took part in the races. "The dog has to really like doing it for the two of you to succeed." Agility involves handlers directing their dogs over a timed obstacle course. Between them and the finish line lie tunnels, jumps, poles they must slalom through and teeter-totters. Dogs receive only voice commands, sounds and signals from their owners. Herding breeds such as collies, shepherds and Belgian sheepdogs excel in agility, Hammond said. But then any breed can succeed at agility, Hammond said, as she watched a well-coiffed poodle poodle, popular breed of dog probably originating in Germany but generally associated with France, where it has been raised for centuries. There are three varieties, differing in size only. clear a hurdle with the elan of an Olympic athlete. If you are looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. a jack-of-all-trades dog, look no further than Lakota. A triple threat, the 4-year-old golden retriever golden retriever, breed of large sporting dog developed primarily in Scotland in the mid-19th cent. It stands about 23 in. (58.4 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 75 lb (27.2–34.1 kg). has won tracking, obedience and agility competitions, said Lakota's owner, Ada McClory of Walterville. Competing in the novice division, Lakota's biggest challenge was mastering the teeter-totter. But a nontraditional canine treat helped her conquer the contraption, McClory said. "I just slapped salmon cream cheese all over the teeter-totter," she said. CAPTION(S): Chip, a sheltie sheltie, shelty a common name for the Shetland sheepdog. sheltie eye anomaly (SEA) see collie eye anomaly. sheltie syndrome see epidermolysis bullosa. owned by Karen Ten Eyck of Pleasanton, Calif., takes in the action at the trials. Herding dogs are said to excel in agility events. |
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