Mixed-Breed Dogs And Their Owners Gear Up For Westminster Dog Show Agility Championship
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- This year, dogs will need a lot more skill to take a victory lap at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show as spectators will have the chance to see spot run, jump, and climb for the first time in the competition's history.
As CBS 2's Sonia Rincon reported Thursday, Haley, a beagle-boston terrier mix from Rockland County will be one of the first mixed breeds to appear in the famous dog show in more than 100 years.
PHOTOS: 2014 Westminster Dogs
Last month, the Westminster Dog Show announced that mixed breeds would be allowed to compete in its new masters agility championship.
Haley's owner, Karen Profenna, says agility trials are the perfect energy outlet for a very athletic dog. "(She) plays baseball, basketball, bowling and all the things any child would want to do...after an agility trial she comes home and does laps around the house."
The show's agility championship will be held Saturday at Pier 94 and features 15 mixed breeds, Rincon reported.
"We think it's great. There really is no way to get them into our dog show in terms of judging and things like that. But this is a way for us to welcome them. And when we had the space to do it, the first thing we thought of was agility dogs and a big, positive factor in that was the mixed breed part of it," said David Frei, of the Westminster Kennel Club.
The big show returns to Madison Square Garden Monday and Tuesday night, with all the traditional breeds and three new breeds competing for best in breed and best in show, Rincon reported.
This is the Westminster Kennel Club's 138th year, making it the second longest, continuously-running American sporting event after the Kentucky Derby.
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