CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – When the Dock Dogs come to Clarksville this weekend, fur and water will fly.
The Dock Dogs competition will be held at the Tuckessee Outdoor Expo (June 17 and 18) and dogs from all over the region will test their jumping and diving skills. Dogs from Middle and West TN as well as Southern KY can compete.
One pooch in particular will represent his hometown of Clarksville.
Levi is an 85-pound, white German Shepherd owned by Annette Jensen. He is a year and a half old and has been competing in dock dog competitions since he was about six months old. Levi has become a pro in a short amount of time, but he was a bit more hesitant early on in his career.
“He hung on the end of the dock and cried for his toy,” Jensen said. Levi was used to swimming in rivers and creeks and was confused by the clear, clean water of the pool. However, he was able to make a jump of nine feet that day, and so a star was born.
Jensen has spent the past year getting Levi acclimated to water sports by taking him on boating trips and splashing with him in creeks. She trained him herself by throwing toys and sticks further and further into the water to encourage him to dive. Just last weekend, Levi managed to jump an impressive 23.8 feet during a competition in Georgia.
“It’s not the furthest jump, but for a German Shepherd of his size it’s very good,” Jensen said.
During competitions, dogs leap from the dock into a pool when a toy is thrown into the water. The dog with the furthest jump wins. Some competitions include Air Retrieve, in which the dog will snatch an object hovering in the air above the pool.
This December Levi will compete for his second time at the Eukanuba National Championships in Orlando, FL as part of the AKC Dog Show.
Jensen knows that competitions take plenty of hard work, money, and travel time, but she says the pay-off is worth it for both her and Levi.
“It’s really exciting to get your title in the mail with your ribbon,” she said. “He has all of our friends here in Clarksville and hes got a big fan club. It’s really been amazing and a lot of fun and he loves it very much.”
For more information about Dock Dogs, visit the official website.