SEE SPOT RUN, JUMP, TWIST.

Byline: Monica Rodriguez Staff Writer

Midge's long black hair flew through the air as she jumped over obstacles, bolted through tunnels and made her way through a series of closely set pylons.

The Portuguese water dog completed the agility course in seconds and got cheers and caresses from her partner Linda Otay as a reward.

``She wasn't that great,'' Otay said, stressing that the quality of the performance does not matter. ``She's doing it because she's having a good time.''

To be sure, both had a good time. Having fun was the goal for those participating in the High Desert Dog Agility Club Show competition Saturday at the Fairplex.

The three-day event, sanctioned by the American Kennel Club, drew 300 dogs of about 50 breeds, said Pat Charlton, the club's show chairwoman.

Teams from across California and neighboring states have traveled to the competition in which dogs compete against canines of similar size. The prizes are ribbons, titles and a good time, competitors said.

The agility trials originated in England, where they began as a form of entertainment at horse shows, said Charlton, a resident of Sylmar.

Crowds liked the dog trials so much that organizers expanded on the idea, Charlton said.

Dogs can be svelte, muscular or downright shaggy, but they all share the similar trait of quickness. Some humans, like Otay, do some training apart from their dogs to build up the stamina that enables them to keep in step with their canines.

``Ideally I exercise a minimum of three days a week,'' said the 48-year- old Otay.

Being fit is important because the dogs are swift.

Oliver, a 3-year-old Italian greyhound who has competed in agility trials for less than a year, flashed over obstacles, up one side and down the other of two boards fitted into an A-shape, and across a teeter-totter with human partner Debbie Mangold.

Mangold, a 32-year-old San Diego resident, competed with Oliver and was also going to compete with Marti, her other dog of the same breed.

``I had to learn to be an athlete so they can do this,'' Mangold said.

Oliver and Mangold compete in Frisbee, obedience and other contests, but this sport is one that brings the two team members together, she said.

``If you're looking for something to do with your dog - this is it,'' Mangold said.

Dogs competing in the trials are judged on speed and accuracy, said Tammy Wiebe, a judge.

Handlers can encourage dogs and guide them through a course but must never touch the animal. Handlers must also keep the dog's safety in mind.

Handlers say the agility work creates a bond between the human and the dog. ``It's kind of like pairs ice skaters,'' Mangold said. ``There has to be trust.''

Nothing can compare to developing the connection between the handler and the dog, said Patt Harrington, 63, of Huntington Beach. Once the bond is formed the team is efficient and the dog can almost perceive the next command before its human partner gives it, Harrington said.

If a dog doesn't do well the dog is not to be blamed.

``You can't take this too seriously,'' said Robert Koetke of Newbury Park, who competed with an Australian shepherd named Sage. ``Anything that goes wrong, 99.9 percent of the time, it's the handler's fault.''

Sage had a good day Saturday - moving up from an advanced level of competition to a master's level - and Koetke had a reward for her.

``She's getting steak tonight,'' he said.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Linda Otay and Midge race through an obstacle course at the High Desert Dog Agility Show.

(2) Sally Bickerton jumps for joy after she and Kobie, a Sheltie, complete the High Desert Dog Agility Show obstacle course.

Jeff Malet/Staff Photographer