Westminster Kennel Club hosted its 3rd Annual Masters Agility Championship on Saturday, February 13. Held on a day of bone-chilling cold at New York's Pier 94, the event precedes Westminster's 140th Annual All Breed Dog Show on the following Monday and Tuesday. Entry is limited to dogs that have attained Master titles (MX and MXJ, or MXP and MJP) in agility. Entries were comprised of 330 dogs representing 28 states, most coming from New Jersey (81), New York (75), and Connecticut (31).
Westminster welcomes both purebred dogs and mixed breeds in agility competition. The Westminster website explains that includes purebred dogs, mixed breeds registered in the AKC's Canine Partners program, Miscellaneous breeds not yet eligible for conformation competition, Foundation Stock Service recorded breeds, and Purebred Alternative Listing dogs (purebred dogs that cannot be fully registered). Among the most exciting of dog-related spectator sports, the agility competition consists of an obstacle course of jumps, tunnels, weave poles, a teeter, an A-frame and more. Dogs run off leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler is not allowed to touch the dog. Speed is everything, as the dog has to accomplish all maneuvers within one minute's time.
Agility is a sport where the border collie is the undisputed king. Indeed, the first two years at this Westminster event were both won by border collies.
The WINNER of the 3rd Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster is Holster!!! #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/xQwgiJnHZgHolster was crowned the winner with a run of 35.10 seconds.— Westminster Dog Show (@WKCDOGS) February 14, 2016
Officially recognized by the AKC in 1991, the Australian shepherd is a member of the Herding Dog Group. The breed standard reads that the Australian Shepherd is "an intelligent working dog of strong herding and guarding instincts. He is a loyal companion and has the stamina to work all day. He is well balanced, slightly longer than tall, of medium size and bone, with coloring that offers variety and individuality. He is attentive and animated, lithe and agile, solid and muscular without cloddiness. He has a coat of moderate length and coarseness. He has a docked or natural bobbed tail."
AKC says that the temperament of the Aussie is "exuberant, smart and work-oriented."
It's obvious that Holster fits all these personality traits.
Australian shepherd flies like the wind to win Westminster agility course https://t.co/tIfrzqqLRh #WKCDogShow pic.twitter.com/lIlTrcPmibCerilli was glowing.— Planet Green (@PlanetGreen) February 15, 2016
"He's a very loyal and hardworking dog,"Fox Sports reported the list of winners in other classes.
- Hailey, winner of the All-American Dog division. This is a class for dogs who are not AKC registered.

- 24-inch division: Belgian Tervuren named Smartie, handled by Julie Hill of Mandeville, Louisiana

- 16-inch division: Cruzer, a Shetland sheepdog handled by Diane Patterson of Middletown, Connecticut

- 12-inch division: Keebler, a Pembroke Welsh corgi handled by Roger O'Sullivan of Giahanna, Ohio -- the only dog defending back-to-back wins.

- 8-inch division: Wren, a Papillion handled by Betsey Lynch of Delaware, Ohio

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show airs Monday, February 16, on CNBC Live 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET and Tuesday, February 17, on USA Network Live 8-11 p.m. ET.
See more about Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on the Inquisitr in articles like the following.
- The 7 New Dog Breeds in 2016
- New in the Herding Group: The Winn-Dixie Dog, the Berger Picard
- The Working Group: 'Batman of Dogs', Ricky Bobby the Doberman
- Westminster Gets Winston the French Bulldog Off the Couch
- The Nonsporting Group: Dreaming With Dalmatians
- Obedience: German Shorthair Proves a Point
- Labrador Retriever "Heart", Obedience Champion
- Best In Show Winner "C.J.", a German Shorthaired Pointer