Dock Dogs

Sure, your beloved Fido might be able to get the paper or your slippers, but how is he at leaping and bounding? Coming to Houston for the first time is the Dock Dogs competition, where leaping and bounding is just the beginning of things. In the sport, water dogs compete in height and length of jump as they retrieve toys thrown in the water by trainers. Dock Dogs events have been a surprise hit for the Outdoor Channel, which televises matches. Dogs and their owners will be traveling from around the country to compete, but this contest is also open to locals. Not surprisingly, more than half of the competing canines are Labradors. But if you start now, your shiatsu just might be ready to jump with the big dogs by contest time. The fun starts on Friday, with the finals in the amateur, semi-pro and pro categories scheduled for today. 9 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Discovery Green, 1002 Avenida de las Americas. For information and a complete schedule, call 713-400-7336 or visit www.dockdogs.com. Free.
June 27-28, 2 p.m.; Sun., June 29, 8:30 a.m., 2008