On a recent episode of “The Ellen Degeneres Show“, the audience was treated to an exhilarating display of agility skills by some furry friends. Sharon Anderson, the agility director from the American Kennel Club, brought along her talented team of dogs to showcase why agility is the fastest growing dog sport in the United States.
As Ellen introduced her guests, the applause filled the studio. Anderson explained that agility is a sport that requires speed and accuracy from the dogs. While most people are familiar with dog shows focused on beauty and confirmation, agility is all about showcasing the impressive athleticism and agility of these talented animals.
The first dog to take the stage was Tango, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. With the race about to begin, Anderson explained that the goal was to complete the course in the shortest possible time. Tango proved to be a swift competitor as he gracefully maneuvered through tunnels, conquered the seesaw, and bounded over yellow obstacles with ease.
Next up was Tigger, an 8-inch champion. Despite his smaller stature, Tigger displayed incredible speed and determination, completing the course in just 20 seconds. Anderson mentioned that different breeds have varying levels of agility, with Border Collies often excelling in this sport due to their quickness.
Ellen couldn’t resist the challenge presented by Anderson and took the opportunity to race Riot, a Border Collie. Riot had been part of the world team and had traveled to Europe several times, making Ellen’s task a tough one. However, with Ellen’s infectious enthusiasm, Riot flew through the course in just 17 seconds, emerging victorious.
To showcase the diversity of breeds participating in agility, Anderson brought out a sequence involving all five dogs. From a Corgi with short legs to a Toy Fox Terrier, the audience got to witness the incredible range of talents displayed by these furry athletes. Anderson emphasized that all dogs receive positive reinforcement during training and genuinely enjoy participating in agility.
Ellen expressed her delight in having the dogs on the show and even jokingly asked if they could stay longer. Anderson assured her that the dogs would always be welcome. She also mentioned that the AK National Agility Championship would be airing on Animal Planet on February 8th at 8 o’clock.
The segment was a perfect blend of entertainment and information, highlighting the excitement and joy that comes from watching these amazing dogs showcase their agility skills. It’s no wonder that agility has become such a beloved and rapidly growing sport within the world of dog competitions. With dogs like Tango, Tigger, Riot, and their talented counterparts, the future of agility seems brighter than ever.
Originally aired on February 6, 2004
