Not only does the Texas State fair offer fun rides, games, and delicious foods, but entertainment as well. You can find such entertainment at Jump! The Ultimate Dog Show.
This dog show takes place in the fair’s Pan American Arena four times a day: 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.
“The shows typically last anywhere from 15-20 minutes,” state fair employee Darrell said.
Throughout the show, dogs perform various tricks such as catching frisbees midair, long jumps into pools of water, agility training, and even things gymnasts would dream of doing, such as flips and impressive jumps.
Towards the end of the show, there is an agility competition between two dogs in which they ran through various obstacles in the least time possible. The audience was divided up into cheering sections for each dog, led by a trainer, to get involved in the activities, making the show even more exciting.
“My husband and I have been doing the (dog shows) every year since 2009 when the State Fair comes here,” dog trainer Emily Hurt said.
The married couple leads the dogs through the obstacle course towards the end of the show.
“The dogs are our own, we have six dogs. Four border collies, a Jack Russell (terrier) and a mixed breed,” Hurt said.
These dogs aren’t just agility dogs, but they have other tricks as well.
“The (dogs) can blow bubbles in a bowl of water, they can pick up a quarter and put it inside of a jar, and show their teeth, and then the usual roll over lay down, things like that,” Hurt said.
With such entertaining canines and enthusiastic hosts, the show is a hit with almost everybody.
“It’s just a fun thing to do with your family or friends, and I’d recommend it to anybody going to the state fair!” Mother and dog-show goer Rebecca Miller said.
