Border collie named Verb wins Westminster agility contest
Border collie named Stella competes in the masters agility preliminary rounds during the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
NEW YORK — The Verb is: “win.”
A border collie named Verb won the Westminster Kennel Club’s agility contest Saturday night.
Verb tore through an obstacle course, guided by handler Perry DeWitt of Wyncote, Pennsylvania.
A dog called Plop got a special award for top mixed-breed. Plop is handled by Lisa Topol of New York City.
The 330 contestants were as small as a Chihuahua and as big as a 98-pound Bernese mountain dog.
The dogs navigate jumps, ramps, tunnels and other objects on a route packed with tricky turns.
So far, Border collies and Australian shepherds have won the annual contest since it began in 2014. Participants say the sport builds a special bond between dogs and owners.
