LAST SUNDAY (2nd March) saw a Dog Agility day with a BIG difference, and not a Border Collie to be seen.

The Harlequin Fun Agility Club which held the event at Ging Farm, Markfield in Leicestershire, invited dogs that would normally be too large for standard equipment, to test their nerves of steel and athletic abilities at fun dog agility.

Attracting dogs from as far as Halifax, the day saw breeds as large as Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds and Afghans strut their stuff over giant sized obstacles and shoot through Tunnels so big, they nearly had to show their passports!

Instructor Jill Gibson commented:

"The day was a howling success, with dogs and their owners having a lot of fun, enjoying a sport that normally only caters for canines of much smaller proportions.

"Using equipment that has been purpose-built to accommodate the larger breed of dog, gave them the opportunity to prove that, despite their enormous size – appearances are often deceiving – big dogs can, and do, also enjoy agility."

Anyone interested in Large Breed Agility can see Jill at Crufts talking about changing people's perceptions of the types of breeds that could do agility. Jill and her two Great Danes, Blake and Benz, will be at the Eukanuba stand on Friday, 7th March and Saturday, 8th March from 12.00 - 12.30 and 2.00 - 2.30 on both days. Alternatively, contact 0116 287 2319 for more information.