Westminster Dog Show 2024 Preview: Rescue Dog Seeks Agility Crown

A strange thing happened a few years ago when Christine Longnecker, who teaches horseback riding in and around Erie County, Pennsylvania, brought her new dog from rescue, Miles, at a course. Instead of waiting quietly with the other non-horses in the stable, Miles suddenly sprinted into the ring and leapt over the fences himself.
It was the start of Miles' career as a agility dog - the sort of dog you might see sprinting over and through obstacles while its owner rushes frantically shouting commands. On Saturday, he is scheduled to compete for the second time in the agility competition at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, which will be held in Flushing, Queens.
The agility competition may be the rhythmic gymnastics of Westminster, less ridiculed than by traditionalists, but it is a growing sport with meritocratic principles and an air of ancient fun in its favor. While Tuesday's classic dog show finals, with the best of the show on the line, are open only to beautiful purebred dogs - no matter if they are sluggish, overbred or missing a few biscuits - The agility competition rewards speed, intelligence and enthusiasm. Any dog can compete, no matter who its parents are.
Miles is an All-American dog, the name given by the American Kennel Club to dogs. He looks vaguely Doberman-y, with a partially black, shiny coat and a long snout, but he's actually 40 percent cattle dog, 23 percent Labrador, 10 percent border collie, and 27 percent hound mix, according to an Embark-commissioned dog DNA test. by Ms. Longnecker.
It's also an unlikely success story: a once virtually unadoptable rescue dog who now rivals the best agility dogs in the country.< /p>
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Fashion May 13, 2024 0 12 Add to Reading List

Westminster Dog Show 2024 Preview: Rescue Dog Seeks Agility Crown

A strange thing happened a few years ago when Christine Longnecker, who teaches horseback riding in and around Erie County, Pennsylvania, brought her new dog from rescue, Miles, at a course. Instead of waiting quietly with the other non-horses in the stable, Miles suddenly sprinted into the ring and leapt over the fences himself.

It was the start of Miles' career as a agility dog - the sort of dog you might see sprinting over and through obstacles while its owner rushes frantically shouting commands. On Saturday, he is scheduled to compete for the second time in the agility competition at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, which will be held in Flushing, Queens.

The agility competition may be the rhythmic gymnastics of Westminster, less ridiculed than by traditionalists, but it is a growing sport with meritocratic principles and an air of ancient fun in its favor. While Tuesday's classic dog show finals, with the best of the show on the line, are open only to beautiful purebred dogs - no matter if they are sluggish, overbred or missing a few biscuits - The agility competition rewards speed, intelligence and enthusiasm. Any dog can compete, no matter who its parents are.

Miles is an All-American dog, the name given by the American Kennel Club to dogs. He looks vaguely Doberman-y, with a partially black, shiny coat and a long snout, but he's actually 40 percent cattle dog, 23 percent Labrador, 10 percent border collie, and 27 percent hound mix, according to an Embark-commissioned dog DNA test. by Ms. Longnecker.

It's also an unlikely success story: a once virtually unadoptable rescue dog who now rivals the best agility dogs in the country.< /p>

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