SA barks loudly at 'Doggy Olympics'

South Africa might not have hosted the Olympic Games, but it could do well if it ever does - if local performances at the "Doggy Olympics" this weekend are anything to go by.

At the 18th Federation of Cynologique International Agility World Championship, which ended yesterday in Johannesburg, South African dogs were up there with the world's best canines.

Team South Africa's Gaby Grohavaz, who has been competing for 11 years in what is dubbed the Doggy Olympics, said the event was "world-class".

"It is the top agility competition for dogs in the world. It is our form of Olympics and the dogs love it."

She said her seven-year-old Pyrenean sheepdog Lollie was very hard-working and focused on the contest.

"She's a pleasure [to work with] because, when it is time to work, she is focused," Grohavaz said.

Grohavaz and her 14 team-mates - also known as handlers - came third in the team agility category for medium dogs on Saturday, after Germany (second) and Switzerland (first).

Judge Gawie Faul was impressed by the quality and standard of competitors this year.

Faul said: "Switzerland and Germany are producing great results, but I am very proud of the South African team for putting up stiff competition this year."

The seven-day competition, held outside Europe for the first time, tests the bond between a dog and its handler. Though dogs have fun while taking part in agility activities, US team coach Ann Braue said handlers took it seriously.

US handler Barbara Davis said dog owners could learn a lot from the competition.

"Dogs love activities and are at their happiest when they are bonding with their owners. All they want to do is please you, so make some time for them - even if it's an hour a day."

The event formed part of the Pet & Me Expo, which took place at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate, Johannesburg, at the weekend.

Also on the programme was a successful bid to break the Guinness world record for the most pet food collected over a period of seven days.

Schools, communities and businesses donated more than 10t of food, which will be donated to animal charities in Gauteng.

The record was held by Fuji and Pick n Pay until Living Hope Church in Washington, US, broke it earlier this year with 9.8t collected.