Stirling and her dog Andy

By Lisa Parent

Prairie Dogs agility show at Stampede proves the sport can be for everyone

Jul 28, 2023 | 11:36 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Spruce Meadows Prairie Dog show has been a staple at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede for many years. The talented dog and trainer duos leave many wondering, ‘how do they pull this off?’ What many Hatters might not realize, is that agility training can be for anyone.

Richelle Stirling from Vulcan started agility as a way to provide mental and physical exercise for her dogs. She then became friends with members of the Prairie Dogs, and they invited her to join. She has now been with the organization for 15 years. Stirling says that it takes between two to three years to get a dog solid, running the course.

While it can require hard work, Stirling says any person and dog can start agility training, no matter their dogs breed. One of Stirling’s dogs running the track is 11 years old, but absolutely loves it. She hopes spectators watching are inspired to take up agility with their own pets.

“It’s so fun. I think that a sport of agility creates such a bond with you and your dog. You’re a team out there, she couldn’t do it without me and I couldn’t do it without her. So you really become a team and it’s just something super special to do with your dog,” Stirling explained.

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She added that they have many different breeds of dogs that perform in the show. Stirling hopes those watching the Prairie Dogs might think, ‘hey my dog could do that, I have a dog like that, that would be fun.’”

Stirling encourages Hatters to come down to the grounds and cheer on the pups for the last two days of stampede.

The Spruce Meadows Prairie Dogs show runs daily at 12:30, 3:00 and 5:30 at the Medicine Hat Stampede Grounds.