EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) - Hundreds of dogs are lined up competing in the Eugene Kennel Club's Agility Trials this weekend.
Between two courses, dogs will jump, balance, go through tunnels and obstacle courses trying to meet perfection along with their handlers.
"The goal is to get the dog through the course as quickly as possible without any errors," explained Carol Ptak, a member of the Eugene Kennel Club. "Standard courses are the most difficult because there's a lot they can take out over."
From big to small, fluffy or shaved, dogs of all kinds and ages were up against each other for tough competition Friday.
Susan Harris and her dog Tessa, also known as 'Meister,' won a "MAC-3." Mac-3 stands for "Master Agility Champion" and the pair has won it three times.
Harris explained it takes a lot of work to win just one "MAC" so to get the third is a great success. After the course, the crowd went nuts and Harris and Tessa got to take home one the poles from the course.
"Very big moment. Now we start working toward number four," she laughed.
Harris' other dog is well-known as the collie has won at least 13 MACs now.
It was evident to the crowd, though, that aside from the dog-eat-dog atmosphere, there was love in the air. Every dog has a story.
"He was a rescue dog he was deemed un-adoptable by many shelters in Washington State," Dana Hoyt told NewsSource 16.
Hoyt and her dog Gregory were there competing. Gregory did well in the morning qualifying in the standard course and almost qualifying in the jumper's course.
"He loves this. He loves doing this," she said. "When I first met him, I knew this is what we'd be doing."
Hoyt said she in veterinary school when they finally allowed her to adopt Gregory. Since then, the eight-year old dog has become almost one of the best in the state.
Ptak ran with her dog as well, but said they didn't do so well. Her dog ran laps instead of the course, which she described as embarrassing, but OK.
"They're dogs. We have to remember that. They're not people with four legs and a coat of fur, they're dogs," she said.
As "man's best friend," every dog competing over the weekend made it clear that for them - the courses represent responsibility.
"The thing the dog likes the most is they have a job. Agility is a great opportunity to give a dog a job and any dog can do it," said Ptak. "There's a very strong relationship between you and your dog. The dog watches your feet are, your shoulders are, how you move."
Ptak explained that handlers of all ages enjoy the sport of agility, even 89 and 90-year old people. Each handler said they have the same idea, though, going out on the course to keep them competing.
"To me the rest of the world goes away. I don't see or feel anything that is around me. And I just pay attention to the dog. We go out and we run our game and whatever it is, it is. You just have a lot of fun and that's really what it's all about," said Ptak.
The agility trials run through Memorial Day at the Lane Events Center. They are free and open to the public. The group just asks you not bring your own canine friend.
