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DANCING TO THE DOGHOUSE ROCK

© Joy Butler

Elvis swiveled his hips for millions, Michael Jackson moonwalked his way across many a stage, and Pepper spins, leaps, and pivots her way through canine musical freestyle.

What is canine musical freestyle? It's an exhuberant little costumed pooch doing the Chihuahua Cha-Cha, the Beagle Ballet, and the Sheepdog Shuffle with her handler, to the beat of music. Well, maybe they don't really call it that, but it is the joyful, harmonious dance performance of a dog who pivots, sidesteps, and does tricks with her handler in time to music.

Dawn Jecs and her Border Collie, Checkers, of Washington, did the first dance routine in 1989 at a seminar. In 1990, Mary Ray did a variation of obedience to music at Crufts in the UK. By 1992, several teams were doing demonstrations in Canada, the US, and the UK. Competitions began in 1993, and now seem to be the newest rage in doggy sports. With such names as the Bow Wow Boogie, Wag Time Ragtime, and Dancing With Woofs, these events attract growing numbers of enthusiasts.

Pepper, an extensively titled Border Collie began her freestyle dancing in 1995 and performed the Macarena with her handler, Sandra, for the AKC obedience Invitational in 1996. With nine routines in her repertoire a year later, Pepper and her handler produced three instructional freestyle videos, in addition to joining the Superdogs from Canada, performing at the Association of Pet Dog Trainers conference in Memphis, the Border Collie National Specialty in St. Louis, and the Astro Series of Dog Shows in Houston. In 1998, the dance team participated in its first competition, the Footloose Fantasy Freestyle Event in Houston. Over 70 dancing dogs entered but Pepper and Sandra won first prize and "Most Creative Performance" with their "Achy Breaky Heart" routine.

Perhaps most noteworthy was their Christmas performance for the critically ill children at El Paso's General Hospital. To the delight of the young patients, Pepper and Sandra dressed up as elves and tiptoed their way through Jingle Bell Rock and Feliz Navidad. The hospital was so appreciative, they named "Dr. Pepper", an honorary physician.

Pepper may be exceptional, but any dog can enjoy doggy dancing. All breeds and mixes of breeds can learn and compete in canine musical freestyle. Basic obedience is mastered first, then the handler has only to choose music that fits the dog's style, and choreograph moves and steps. Flashy costumes add flare to the creation as well.