Agility World Champions Crowned in Scottsdale

Listen to this article

Nearly 1,000 of the world’s best canine athletes from 10 countries competed for five days in Scottsdale, Arizona, this November. In each of six different jump heights, only one dog left with the 2016 Grand Prix of Dog Agility World Championship crown at the Cynosport World Games.

The winners in the following jump heights are:

• 12 Inches: Diane O’Reily with Rauri Belle, a Poodle from Hockessin, Delaware
• 14 Inches: Abbey Beasley with Dreamer, a Shetland Sheepdog from Lewis County, Ohio
• 16 Inches: Ashley Deacon with Dash, a Pyre Shepherd from Pacifica, California
• 18 Inches: Channon Fosty and Kirk, a Border Collie from Newark, California
• 22 Inches: Susan Garrett with Swagger, a Border Collie from Ontario, Canada
• 26 Inches: Laura Pryse with Hot Shot, a Border Collie from Morgan Hill, California

Jump heights are based on how tall the dogs measure at the tip of their shoulder blades.

Cynosport was live-streamed and featured an “instant replay” during each of the tournament finals.

The event was sponsored by Zuke’s, maker of all-natural and healthy dog treats; GlycoFlex, a pioneer in canine joint health; and Multi Radiance Medical lasers.

Besides the World Championship event, three other tournaments were held during the annual Cynosport World Games: the $10,000 Dog Agility Steeplechase, Dog Agility Masters Team Tournament and the Masters Challenge Biathlon.

Besides the opportunity to watch top agility competitors from around the world compete, Cynosport offers other exciting “paws on” events to promote responsible pet ownership, including Splash Dogs, lure coursing and an “Agility 101” event.

The event is hosted by the United States Dog Agility Association, the world’s largest independent canine sports authority. The organization stated in a press release that it was “dedicated to promoting the sport of dog agility as a recreational family sport that fosters responsible pet ownership.”

The dates for the 2017 Cynosport World Games are Oct. 25-29, 2017, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

For more information on pet industry and community events, like Pet Age on Facebook.