Kids, canines and competitors convene at the Dog Expo

Earlier this month, Sadie the Scottie was crowned queen of New York’s prestigious Westminster dog show. However, it takes more than a pretty face and shiny coat to become the top dog at this weekend’s Baton Rouge Dog Expo 4-H Show. But it doesn’t require experienced handler or even a pedigree.

Sponsored by the 4-H Canine Connection Dog Club and OverCome Agility Club, the festivities consist of three separate activities—a canine fair, 4-H Dog Show and USDAA Agility Trials—under one roof.

The fair features kids’ crafts, vendors, adoptions and microchipping and offers instruction in a basic obedience, agility demonstrations, a junior handler seminar and behavior, health and care presentations.

Open to all children (K-12) and their dogs, the 4-H Dog Show celebrates the kid-canine bond with contests and medals for best in show as well as best showoff.

Two-day USDAA Agility Trial is one of the qualifying rounds of an international competition. Unlike the breeding credentials needed for show rings, any dog with good physical condition and high energy is a strong candidate for the sport. Though some breeds show more natural inclination toward agility, over 150 breeds—including mixed-breeds—have demonstrated proficiency.

In fact, the agility trials are the canine Olympics. This competitive sport tests a handler’s skills in training dogs to complete a timed obstacle course. Competitors race against the clock as they direct their dogs to jump hurdles, scale ramps, burst through tunnels, traverse a see-saw and weave through a line of poles in an obstacle course configuration. With scoring based on faults similar to equestrian show jumping, dog agility has become to establish a faithful following as a spectator sport.

All events take place at LSU’s John M. Parker Coliseum. Admission is free for well-behaved dogs (on leashes) and dog lovers.
For more information or to volunteer go to: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/BRcanineconnection/

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