VIDEO: West Seattle dog to compete at Westminster; searching for room to run

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(WSB photos and video unless otherwise credited)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

One week from tonight, you might find yourself cheering for a West Seattle dog in a televised competition that precedes the legendary Westminster Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show in New York City.

Marcia Lyons tells WSB that she and Liberty, her 4-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, are the only team from our state set to compete in the club’s 3rd annual Masters Agility Championship.

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After Marcia e-mailed us about Liberty, we asked if we could come meet her and see what she does. Marcia obliged, so there we were near their home on a sloped stretch of SW Juneau this morning:

In the original announcement we received from Marcia, the Agility Championship is described this way:

This event, which features some of the most talented K9 athletes in the country, will feature dogs and their handlers excitedly attacking an obstacle course of jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and more, racing against the clock. At Westminster, each dog will compete in two qualifying rounds. The ten dogs from each height class with the lowest combined scores will move on to the Championship round Saturday evening (February 13th), creating a field of 50 finalists competing for the coveted title of Westminster Kennel Club Masters Agility Champion. The Championship round will be televised on FOX Sports 1 beginning at 5:00 pm Pacific.

Liberty and Marcia also will be in the All-Breed Dog Show itself, which starts on Monday, February 15th, competing against other Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers – the smallest breed of retriever, Marcia explained. The evening finals will be that night 5-8 pm PT on CNBC and Tuesday, February 16th, same time slot, on USA Network.

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(Photo courtesy Marcia Lyons)

But first, next Saturday’s agility competition, which starts with daytime runs before the televised evening finals. Liberty, she says, is already fastest runner in her class, and she feels good about their chances at the championship, “as long as we run clean” – no mistakes.

Liberty is the first dog with whom she’s competed; she says they’re also working on “competitive obedience.”

The full schedule for the Masters Agility Championship and All-Breed Dog Show is here.

P.S. There’s one way you can help: If you look at our video again, you’ll notice Liberty running on a planting strip along a busy street. Marcia’s backyard isn’t quite big enough for proper training. They’re looking for a space in West Seattle that is large enough for them to practice, especially before they take off for the competition.

9 Replies to "VIDEO: West Seattle dog to compete at Westminster; searching for room to run"

  • Oakley34 February 6, 2016 (8:43 pm)

    Well it’s not WS, but Grandview Dog Park down in Seatac has a decent little agility setup, and tons of space to run.  Have fun at Westminster!

  • Donna Dykstra February 7, 2016 (5:03 am)

    Go Marcia  and Liberty! As we have discussed before, it would be wonderful to borrow/rent space in W. Seattle where we could practice on a regular basis.  Equipment at an off leash park is not standard size or construction, and dogs with our speed would attract too many other dogs wanting to play chase and that would be extremely dangerous.  But echoing Marcia, is there anybody with good-sized level space we could use on a regular basis?  The places where we take classes and train  are all 45-60 minutes away from us and ideally for practice a short session daily or at least several times a week is best, so our usual distance is not ideal.  Thanks, Donna and Mucho

  • Karen W. Parker February 7, 2016 (9:09 am)

    Go get ’em,  Marcia and Libby! Have a wonderful time and I know you’ll represent us PNW’ers in fine fashion!!

  • phyllis & blast... February 7, 2016 (9:39 am)

    Papa Blast, wishes Libby the very BEST. What a super-star! Go Marcia & Libby…….we will be watching!

  • RickB February 7, 2016 (12:31 pm)

    Donna/Marcia, it would help if you could let people know how much space you need specifically, i.e., how many feet by how many feet. Maybe an “ideal” number and a “will work” number.

  • S.b. February 7, 2016 (2:18 pm)

    We might have a space. We are near westcrest in w. Seattle.  Email me at drsunshine16@yahoo.com.

  • Vanessa February 8, 2016 (8:28 am)

    Way to go Neighbor!!!!!!

  • FS and Madrid February 8, 2016 (11:22 pm)

    Marcia, you and Libby are famous!  Good luck at Westminster! Your PNW toller folks will be rooting for both of you!!!

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