ANIMALS DAWG DAYS IN DALLAS

On a visit to England, Dallas CPA Kenneth Tatsch was intrigued by a sport mixing equestrian steeplechase with military K-9 training. Three years ago he started the United States Dog Agility Association. The group, 1,000 enthusiasts strong, has made Dallas the American center for the sport.

Elizabeth Hezeau presides over the Dallas Agility Working Group, “better known as DAWG,” the forty members of which can be found Sunday afternoons working their dogs on a course in Garland’s Holford Park.

It’s physically demanding to follow her border collies around the tortuous track of jumps, tunnels, and other obstacles. But, Hezeau says, “it’s fun, it’s exciting, and the dogs love it.”

Dog food companies love it, too. Kal-Kan sponsored the USDAA’s national meets held in Houston at the Astro World Series of Dog Shows the last two Augusts. Dallas handlers, it turns out, are some of the ones to watch in any competition-and for once, it looks like we beat the West Coast to a trend.

“There are a lot of people getting involved in Southern California,” says San Diego trainer Liz Ralika, “but Dallas got a foot in the door a little bit quicker.”