Kennel club dog trials coming to fairgrounds

MOSES LAKE — The Ephrata-Moses Lake Kennel Club will be holding its annual agility trials this coming weekend.

“We usually have close to 400 dogs and their handlers,” said kennel club President Sue Ellestad.

The trials, which begin on Friday, June 8, and last through Sunday, June 10, will put dogs from across the Pacific Northwest (including Canada) through their paces jumping and weaving through obstacle courses.

“It’s like a steeple chase,” Ellestad said. “Dogs are expected to weave in and out between poles without missing a space.”

Dogs are sorted by size and expertise, with low dogs — Ellestad has a champion dachshund she will be running in the competition — expected to jump much lower obstacles than bigger and taller dogs. Dogs will be judged on the ability to make the fewest number of mistakes in the shortest amount of time.

“It’s timed,” she said. “And the course gets a lot harder.”

Some dogs are more trainable than others, Ellestad said. For example, border collies are an “intense breed” that pay close attention and pick things up quickly.

“They are easily trainable,” she said. “But it depends on the level of expertise and the ability to work with the handler.”

The event, which last from 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. each day of the trials, is being held in the Kenny Ariel Building at the Grant County Fairgrounds and is free and open to the public.

“It’s a good family event, so people can bring their kids,” she said.

But not the dog, Ellestad added. At least not if you haven’t entered it in the competition.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached via email at countygvt@columbiabasinherald.com.