A dog day afternoon at the Mutt Derby

Dogs competed in a friendly race on March 18 at the Sarasota Kennel Club.

  • By Shane Donglasan
  • | 2:50 p.m. March 19, 2018
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Anything can happen at the Sarasota Kennel Club's 10th Annual Mutt Derby. In past races, dogs have jumped into the pond, ran in the wrong direction, played with other dogs in the middle of the race or stopped to say hello to spectators. These dogs may not be professional racers, but they did have some big fans cheering them on.

Dogs of all breeds and their owners gathered at the race track of the Sarasota Kennel Club to compete in a friendly competition that raised funds for Fast Friends Greyhound Adoption. The dogs were divided into five weight categories and competed against seven other dogs each race.

“The Jack Russells always seem to win the smaller weight categories,” said event organizer Sue Peakes. “One year we had a huge dog that was very shy and when they released him, he just wanted to get out of there and he won. It just depends on who is racing.”

Lynn and Joe Rooney with their miniature dachshunds, Josie and Rosie.
Lynn and Joe Rooney with their miniature dachshunds, Josie and Rosie.
Toby Aline with Spike, a chihuahua and rat terrier mixed breed.
Toby Aline with Spike, a chihuahua and rat terrier mixed breed.
Tami Kleister with her Rhodesian lab, Jagger.
Tami Kleister with her Rhodesian lab, Jagger.
Maggie Moffett and Alex Finnicum with their dogs Moose Riley, a Belgian shepherd who has won in his weight category for the past two years, Ellie and Harper.
Maggie Moffett and Alex Finnicum with their dogs Moose Riley, a Belgian shepherd who has won in his weight category for the past two years, Ellie and Harper.
Ryan Abernathy walks his yellow lab, Max, on the track.
Ryan Abernathy walks his yellow lab, Max, on the track.
Max the yellow lab gets some love from his supporters.
Max the yellow lab gets some love from his supporters.
Jim Unnever with his Australian labradoodle Saidee, a past winner of the Mutt Derby.
Jim Unnever with his Australian labradoodle Saidee, a past winner of the Mutt Derby.
Joseph and Constance Propsom with their dogs Ringo and Juliet.
Joseph and Constance Propsom with their dogs Ringo and Juliet.
Christina Angus and Thomas Sockpick with their Alaskan husky, Aurora.
Christina Angus and Thomas Sockpick with their Alaskan husky, Aurora.
Tyson and Mark Quire with their puggle, Sophie.
Tyson and Mark Quire with their puggle, Sophie.
Jagger rocks his shades before the race.
Jagger rocks his shades before the race.
Jagger, right, meets a new friend before the race.
Jagger, right, meets a new friend before the race.
Bailey waits patiently for the race to begin.
Bailey waits patiently for the race to begin.
Mary and Bryan Scheible with their pooch Molly.
Mary and Bryan Scheible with their pooch Molly.
Owners get ready to release their dogs for the 1 to 15 pound weight category race.
Owners get ready to release their dogs for the 1 to 15 pound weight category race.
Helen Duvin lifts her dog Dakota in excitement over her win.
Helen Duvin lifts her dog Dakota in excitement over her win.
Helen Duvin and Dakota.
Helen Duvin and Dakota.
Valentino makes a last minute dash to the finish line.
Valentino makes a last minute dash to the finish line.
Jessie Carroll with her dog Gibson.
Jessie Carroll with her dog Gibson.
Jessie and Jim Carroll with their dog Gibson.
Jessie and Jim Carroll with their dog Gibson.

 

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