The agility world championship, this discipline where dogs must overcome different obstacles on a timed course, is coming to France for the first time. Bourgbarré was chosen to host the event. Fifteen countries are represented, with 240 dog handler pairs.
220 meters of course, slalom, footbridge, tunnel, swing, you have to go quickly. But by placing at least one paw on the contact area. All races are welcome. With from the smallest to the largest, five categories. We adapt the height of the hedges.
This sport is inspired by equestrian competitions but here, the dogs go twice as fast as the horses: “It seems phenomenal, but it’s true that both small and large dogs currently go at almost the same speed. We can get close to 6 meters per second”, specifies Olivier Arribart, director of the Bourgbarré dog club. It is Olivier’s club that is hosting this world championship. Around fifteen countries are present, 240 duos and in the running with the French team, his son Anthony.
With Olya, his Shetland shepherd, the Breton will do flawlessly. In 41 seconds. He doesn’t know it yet, he will be crowned world champion. In the meantime, he finishes as tired as his dog: “It was intense! We’re in apnea, we can’t stop talking while running, that’s what’s especially physical”he reports.
These are moments that are just ours. All it takes is a word, a gesture, a look and the dog understands us straight away. It’s just the two of us.
Elodie OrsiniFrench agility team
And if the rhythm is important, the competitors tell us, what is essential is the connection with the animal: “These are moments that are just ours. All it takes is a word, a gesture, a look and the dog understands us right away. It’s just the two of us”testifies Elodie Orsini from the French agility team.
In short, it is the complicity that pulls the duo to the top. Above all, never bark at your dog.
In Bourgbarré, the World Championship will end on Sunday evening.
(With Gilles Le Morvan and Léa Sombret)
