The Westminster Kennel Club show kicked off this weekend, showcasing agility and other dog sports. The event, often referred to as the Super Bowl of dog shows, featured about 350 champion-level contestants in agility, one of dogdom's most popular sports.
A border collie named Vanish emerged victorious in the agility competition, while a black-and-white dog named Gable won a special award for the best mixed-breed competitor. The show also featured Westminster's first demonstration of flyball, a canine relay race that involves retrieving a ball.
In addition to agility, the show also included obedience competitions, with the top prize going to Willie, an Australian shepherd who also won in 2022. There were no cash prizes at Westminster, but the agility and obedience winners each get to direct a $5,000 donation to a training club or the American Kennel Club Humane Fund.
6 Comments
Karamba
Why are we rewarding dogs for catching balls? This is ridiculous.
Rotfront
This event is just an excuse for rich people to show off their expensive dogs.
Matzomaster
This event is perpetuating harmful stereotypes about different dog breeds.
Rotfront
This event excludes mixed-breed dogs and promotes purebred dogs, which contributes to the overpopulation problem.
Karamba
Agility should not be promoted at the expense of more traditional dog activities like herding and hunting.
Africa
I don't think dogs should be forced to perform tricks for our entertainment.