Two dogs from Fish Hoek Agility Dogs will be representing South Africa at the World Agility Championships in Switzerland in June.
Duke, a 10-year-old Border Collie, and Reeva, an 8-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, will compete against top dogs from around the world.
Co-owner and trainer of Fish Hoek Agility Dogs, Yvonne Zwiegelaar, said the event showcases the talent, dedication, and bond between handlers and their dogs on a global stage.
Reeva, an 8-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, will compete against top dogs from around the world at the World Agility Championships in Switzerland in June.
Image: Supplied
Ms Zwiegelaar started doing agility in 2000 with her dog, Abby.
"She was a nervous dog and I was looking for a fun activity that we could do together to build her confidence. I fell in love with the sport and have competed with all my dogs over the years. Reeva is my eighth agility dog," she said.
She will be traveling with her business partners and co-founders of Fish Hoek Agility Dogs, Philip Fourie and his dog Duke, the current South African agility champion, and Jacqueline van Heerden, the team manager for South Africa.
Duke, a 10-year-old Border Collie and the current South African agility champion in action.
Image: Supplied
Ms Zwiegelaar said Fish Hoek Agility Dogs is raising funds as the journey comes with great expenses.
She said they have been having raffles and doing fun dog competitions and there will be another event on Sunday April 27 at Paul Greyling Primary School.
“We are currently looking for a sponsor for our team clothing which is around R15 000 and sponsors would be able to advertise on our shirts," she said.
She enjoys dog agility because it is unpredictable.
"It is exciting. You never know how a run is going to go. One round can be absolutely amazing and the next is a disaster, but the good rounds keep you coming back. It is such an amazing feeling working on becoming a team with your dog. I also love the agility community and it beats going to the gym," she said.
Ms Zwiegelaar and Reeva will be competing internationally for the first time.
"Philip and Duke went overseas in 2019, but they have qualified every year. This will be Duke's last opportunity as he is now 10 years old," she said.
Only dogs that have achieved Grade 3, the highest grade in agility, are eligible to compete.
"A lot of time is invested in training to get them up to that level,” she said, adding that the club competes at club trials throughout the year, but the most important trials are the regional trials which include Gauteng, Free State, KZN, Boland, Western Province and South East Coast.
“These are three-day trials where competitors come from around the country to compete against one another. Throughout the year, points are accumulated. At the end of the year, the top five dogs in each height category qualify to go to the World Championships," she said.
Ms Zwiegelaar said that although five dogs qualify in each category, few competitors are able to attend due to the cost.
"This year we have a team of four dogs going. Three from Western Province and one from Gauteng. We will be competing over a five-day period. There will be roughly 280 dogs from all over the world taking part," she said.
Ms Zwiegelaar said they are preparing by reviewing past courses and focusing on fitness.
"One of the challenges is that we will be running on sand as opposed to grass. We will also be running indoors, and we are used to competing outdoors, so I am trying to desensitise Reeva to the type of noise she might hear," she said.
In order to travel, the dogs must have a current rabies titre test and will undergo full veterinary checks before departure.
"They will have a full vet check before they leave and will need to have their paperwork signed off by the state vet,” she said, adding that a Noordhoek vet has kindly sponsored Reeva's veterinary costs.
The dogs, she said, will also need a vet check before travelling back to South Africa.
"One of the biggest expenses is flying the dogs back to South Africa. When they travel there, they will travel as excess baggage on our plane ticket, which costs around R8 000 but coming back to South Africa, they have to travel as manifest cargo. For the flight back and the paperwork needed to get back into the country including import permits, it is around R23 000 per dog," she said.
Ms Van Heerden said she was very proud to be the South African team manager.
They (Mr Fourie and Ms Zwiegelaar) have both worked so hard to qualify for this prestigious event and I am sure they will do South Africa proud," she said.
Should you wish to support the club, attend the upcoming events or for more information, contact Ms Zwiegelaar at 083 499 2474.