![Clockwise from right: Diane Miller, of Wellington, and Hunter, a miniature poodle, tackle the agility course; Raewyn Muir, of Hamilton, tends to her four Border collies, Delta (11), Remmy (7), Macey (5) and Highflyer (2); Border collie Bri (right) takes on the agility challenge; Ball in mouth, Trixie leaps an obstacle; Irish terrier Morgan goes for a ball on the "flygility" section. Photo by Gregor Richardson.](http://www.odt.co.nz/files/imagecache/200x200_scaled_cropped/story/2009/10/clockwise_from_right_diane_miller_of_wellington_an_1559137798.JPG "Clockwise from right: Diane Miller, of Wellington, and Hunter, a miniature poodle, tackle the agility course; Raewyn Muir, of Hamilton, tends to her four Border collies, Delta (11), Remmy (7), Macey (5) and Highflyer (2); Border collie Bri (right) takes on the agility challenge; Ball in mouth, Trixie leaps an obstacle; Irish terrier Morgan goes for a ball on the "flygility" section. Photo by Gregor Richardson.")
Clockwise from right: Diane Miller, of Wellington, and
Hunter, a miniature poodle, tackle the agility course;
Raewyn Muir, of Hamilton, tends to her four Border collies,
Delta (11), Remmy (7), Macey (5) and Highflyer (2); Border
collie Bri (right) takes on the agility challenge; Ball in
mouth, Trixie leaps an obstacle; Irish terrier Morgan goes
for a ball on the "flygility" section. Photo by Gregor
Richardson.
It's a dog's life for Hamilton couple Raewyn and John
Muir.
The pair have travelled from the North Island with their four
Border collie dogs for this year's National Dog Training
Assembly event being held at Mosgiel.
The event will conclude on Monday.
Eleven-year-old Delta has won national titles in agility and
obedience, gaining both titles five years ago.
She and her daughter, 7-year-old Remmy, are retired.
Remmy had an eye disease two years ago and had her left eye
removed.
"She used to compete in the top test in obedience, but lost
confidence because I wasn't close to her," Mrs Muir said.
But competing this weekend are 5-year-old Macey, along with
her daughter, 2-year-old Highflyer.
Macey will compete in obedience test C and the senior agility
test, where she will be pitted against Highflyer.
The aim of an agility test is to complete the course in the
fastest time.
"You need to have a Border collie or a heading dog for speed.
"Some of the little dogs can be accurate and get a clear run,
but they don't have the speed," she said.
An obedience test involves close control work between the dog
and owner, and scent retrieval.
National Dog Training Assembly organising committee chairman
Roy Thorndycraft said most people got involved in dog trials
because they wanted to have more control over their dog.
And "it's something fun they can do with their pet".
- Rachel Taylor
Bookmark/Search this post with:
![Clockwise from right: Diane Miller, of Wellington, and Hunter, a miniature poodle, tackle the agility course; Raewyn Muir, of Hamilton, tends to her four Border collies, Delta (11), Remmy (7), Macey (5) and Highflyer (2); Border collie Bri (right) takes on the agility challenge; Ball in mouth, Trixie leaps an obstacle; Irish terrier Morgan goes for a ball on the "flygility" section. Photo by Gregor Richardson.](http://www.odt.co.nz/files/story/2009/10/clockwise_from_right_diane_miller_of_wellington_an_1559137798.JPG "Clockwise from right: Diane Miller, of Wellington, and Hunter, a miniature poodle, tackle the agility course; Raewyn Muir, of Hamilton, tends to her four Border collies, Delta (11), Remmy (7), Macey (5) and Highflyer (2); Border collie Bri (right) takes on the agility challenge; Ball in mouth, Trixie leaps an obstacle; Irish terrier Morgan goes for a ball on the "flygility" section. Photo by Gregor Richardson.")
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.