Teacup agility trials entertain

STAFFORD — Last Saturday and Sunday a group of rather petit pups overran Pup’N Iron Canine Fitness and Learning Center in Stafford for an inaugural event.

Ranging from a 6-inch-tall Miniature Yorkshire Terrier to a 16-inch-tall beagle mix, the dogs and handlers descended upon the facility from across the country to participate in Pup’N Iron’s Teacup Agility Trials.

Although agility has long been a popular canine sport most of the equipment is sized for larger dogs. However, many miniature breeds and smaller dogs also participate and they were required to run courses on equipment sized for dogs that may be more than 10 times larger in stature.

Six years ago the Teacup Dog Agility Association was founded to provide a venue where smaller stature and miniature dogs could participate in the sport using more size appropriate equipment.

Pup’N Iron proprietor Laurie Williams, who appeared on last summer’s “Greatest American Dog” with her Maltese, Andrew, is on a mission to inspire people with small dogs “to get out and show the world what they can do.”

“While small dogs certainly are capable of doing the other agility venues (AKC, UKC, USDAA, etc.) and managing the large equipment, having the smaller, size appropriate equipment not only provides a much more level playing field, but is safer as well,” said Williams.

Participation in TDAA competition is limited to dogs standing less than 17 inches at the withers and is open to mixed and purebred dogs. Their registry currently has 1,900 registered dogs representing 81 breeds including those dubbed “All America.”

TDAA has dogs registered in 39 states, Mexico, and /Canada with clubs operating in 18 states. Dogs participate in one of four categories set based on height at the withers of under 8 inches, under 12 inches, under 15 inches, and under 17 inches. Dogs over 16 inches compete in the “super class.” Adjustments are made for long back and short-legged dogs and Veterans. Titles can be earned in 12 categories ranging from Beginner to Teacup Master Agility Games by achieving qualifying scores at trails.

Many dogs and handlers compete throughout the year in order to prepare to participate in the TDAA Petit Prix National Agility Tournament. The 6th annual event will be held from Oct. 9 though 11 in Racine, Wis.

Williams said, “We plan to offer TDAA trials two to three times a year.” Information on TDAA trails can be found under the events section at pupniron.com.

Marty van Duyne is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America and a contributing writer for the Stafford County Sun.