When I flipped to last year's Purina Incredible Dog Challenge on Bravo, my fiancé groaned. Loudly. However, by the time we got to the Jack Russell Terrier Hurdle Racing, he was cheering right along with me. He couldn't help it; the dogs were just so darn cute and excited, all dancing and jumping and breathlessly barking, regardless of whether they won a challenge or not. Very different from the formal purebred dog shows, the event has athletic dogs (mutts included) and their owners/trainers competing in a variety of "Olympic-style" challenges. In addition to Jack Russell Races, there's an Agility Competition, a Diving Dog Competition, 60-Weave Poles Racing, a Freestyle Flying Disc Competition and High Jump Competition. The Eastern Regionals take place this weekend at Spa Beach Park; the canine-loving community is invited to attend, and well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. Preliminaries occur Fri., June 23, 1-4 p.m., with the competition Sat., June 24, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 615 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg, free admission, 727-893-7465, www.events.purina.com.
This article appears in Jun 21-27, 2006.