Dog Agility Associations Agility Trial

If dogs can smile, a few hundred pooches were grinning ear to ear as they took their turns leaping through hoops, running across platforms and sprinting through tunnels Sunday at The Ranch.

As part of the United States Dog Agility Association’s Agility Trial, almost 200 pooches and their people from around the state gave their best shots at the obstacle courses, trying to beat times and prove to judges just how obedient they can be.

“Agility is obedience in the fast lane,” explained Sandy Mullis, a member of the Front Range Agility Club who was also competing in the weekend-long event.

For some dogs, fast was an understatement as they raced over, through and around the obstacle course with a trail of dust behind them.

But others seemed more concerned with the details, meticulously hitting each mark at a walking pace.

“You don’t have to win to be successful,” said Mullis, noting that a “clean” round can still qualify a dog for other events.

Besides, she added, dog agility competitions are all about having fun.

“You develop such a bond and communication system with the dog,” she said.

The sport requires the human/canine team to maneuver through an obstacle course, with the handler leading the off-leash pooch with hand signals and commands.

While border collies are among the most popular in the sport, Mullis said, any dog — even mixed breeds — can compete in the United States Dog Agility Association events.

And the variety was evident as tiny terriers, primped poodles and “all American” mixes took their turns.

Linda DeHarak’s dog, Teddy Bear, was one of the biggest dogs in the arena.

Standing at 29 inches on all fours, the mixed breed dog was almost as tall as his 5-foot owner.

“We do great together,” DeHarak said, leaning down (not too far) to give Teddy Bear a kiss and high-five.

She began the sport as a way to train and bond with her big friend. Two years later, the pair are still going strong, and won two third-place ribbons that weekend.

“It’s just about bonding and being part of a team,” she said.