Dogs Have Their Day - NST

Dogs have their day Sheila Sri Priya

A proud owner and his well-trained pet wowing the crowd with the latter’s ability to overcome the hurdles in the Dogathon Jumper Ability trial.

SERDANG: More than 600 dogs of different breeds were unleashed to make their way into the Malaysian Books of Records in a dogathon organised by Universiti Putra Malaysia's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine's Zoologico .

Siew Boh Yin and her Siberian Husky, Haha, the winner of the Dogathon Space Race.

The event was recorded as "The Biggest Gathering of Dogs in Malaysia."

The annual event, which is into its 12th year, was to raise funds for the "Pro-Kasih" welfare project.

"Pro Kasih" is a catch-neuture-release programme jointly managed by the faculty and the student affairs body to reduce the number of stray animals.

The half-day event started with the Dogathon Space Race, flagged off by Tan Sri Dr Syed Jalaluddin Syed Salim.

Haha and its owner Siew Boh Yin, won in the 2.5km race.

Many dog owners groomed their pets and even dressed them in cute outfits for the event. There were even puppies who arrived in prams.

One of the "stars" of the show was a 65kg St. Bernard who got the most attention from the crowd.

Besides the Dogathon Space Race, other activities held were Master Hunt, Dogathon Space Idol, Fastest Eating Duo, Alien Says and Dogathon Jumper Agility.

In Master Hunt, the dogs were required to find their master in a maze. In the Dogathon Space Idol contest, dogs were judged based on their costumes and antics.

Other titles contested for that day were Most Talented Dog, Most Compatible Pair and Best Theme-related Costume.

In the Dogathon Jumper Agility trial, the dogs' ability to jump and manoeuvre open tunnels was tested.

Couple Henry Lee and Jasey Tan brought their three-year-old Shih Tzu named Kenki and an American cocker spanial named Spencer.

"I spend 90 minutes daily brushing them. I care for them like children," said Tan.

Petaling Jaya councillor, Anthony Sivabalan Thanasayan said: "I'm very happy because my service dog Soolan was allowed to assist me on stage during the launch. There were Muslim guests on stage but they did not mind Soolan's presence. I would like the public to be more tolerant of the disabled who are greatly reliant on their faithful companions."

Among the breeds at the event were Chow Chows, Siberian Huskies, Fox Terriers and Great Danes.