Take Your Pawtners!

[samoyedman]

This was on ABC News tonight.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/11/2950411.htm

A group of Tasmanian dog-lovers is taking its first tentative steps in the art of dog dancing.

Official dog dancing competitions began in Australia last year, combining tricks and movement choreographed to music.

An interstate instructor has just finished the state's first dance classes at the Glenorchy showgrounds, in Hobart's northern suburbs.

Sue Cordwell says the discipline incorporates rhythm, teamwork and fun.

"Probably the basics of freestyle dog dancing is the leg weaving, the left-hand spin, the right-hand spin, the backing up," Ms Cordwell said.

Tasmanian dog lovers say the sport is growing in popularity.

Barb Duke from the Border Collie Club of Tasmania says the discipline is terrific for busy, intelligent - and hungry - dogs like border collies.

"The people love the music, and we truly believe that the dogs actually can feel the rhythm as well.

"They like the fact that the humans are relaxed and working with the rhythm, and they just love doings lots of tricks, and of course they get rewarded very well for doing it," she said.

Ms Duke says competing dogs are not allowed to wear costumes; fancy scarves or collars are the limit.

"Yeah, a bit of bling is good," she said, "but not too over the top, because there has to still be dignity for the dog."

Tull Luttrell, who is also from the Border Collie Club, says props can include hoops, poles and other structures.

"Some people do have very extensive things like, say, a coffin," Ms Luttrell said.

"And they have the music, which is you know tap-tap-tap, and the dog jumps out of the coffin and things like that.

"So you can go a long way dramatically, or theatrically."

Tasmania's aspiring dog dancers and their handlers are hoping to be ready to compete in a Victorian competition, in November.