Canine Freestyle - Dancing with dogs

I’d seen a little bit of canine freestyle on video in the past. Recently on Pet Star on Animal Planet, they had the most incredible freestyle act I’ve ever seen.

The dancers were Sandra Davis and her Border Collie, Pepper. They did a sort of matador-and-bull act, with Sandra flourishing a miniature red cape and Pepper being the “bull,” complete with pawing the ground at the start of the act.

The act was tightly choreographed, and the interaction between the dog and handler was just perfect. I taped the routine when they showed it this past Friday on the “Highlights of the last two years” show. Every time I watch it, I cry* because of the beauty of the interaction between the two. I looked them up on Google and found out that Pepper is 10 years old now.

Wow. Just. Wow.

Has anybody here ever seen Sandra or her videos? Anybody done any freestyle?

*Yes, I’m an old soppy head.

Wait, you mean to tell me that King of the Hill didn’t make up dog dancing? It’s real?

That’s fuckin’ depressing.

Archergal, I don’t participate in Freestyle, but one of the co-founders of the Canine Freestyle Federation teaches classes at my obedience club. I’ve also seen demonstrations at a couple obedience trials, it takes a lot of work to pull off those polished performances.

Justin, you might not say that if you saw the video I saw.

It’s amazing.

Miabella, I don’t currently have a dog that would be a good obedience dog, much less a freestyle dog! But maybe some day…

I love dogs and dog activities…