Local dogs take top prizes at World Canine Disc Championship

Maryland, it seems, has some bragging rights and some very high-flying dogs. Two of the state's best canine athletes took top prizes in one of the 2011 Hyperflite Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championship.

Unlike other more sedate dog events, like the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which is more like a beauty pageant, this contest,  held last weekend in Chattanooga, Tennessee was pure athleticsm. Running. Leaping. Catching. Or, as organizers put it, "Rather than prancing on carpet ... these amazing canine athletes gouged out chunks out of turf as they raced to snag spinning flying discs in midair."

Taking first place in the Sport Division World Championship was Baltimore's David Gosch, and his collie Hippie Chick. They came from behind to snare the win.

And winning the crowd-favorite Pairs Freestyle Division, was five-time World Champion Frank Buckland of Glen Burnie, partner Sally Zinkhan of Phoenix and their Shiloh.

Hippie Chick, Shiloh and hteir people had already beat top teams from the region to qualify for the event, which draws similarly top dogs from around the world.

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