excerpted from AKC Gazette, December 2002, p. 15

The DOCOF Competition

For Florida obedience enthusiasts Labor Day is reserved exclusively for the Dog Obedience Clubs of Florida's obedience competition. Held every year since 1975, this year's DOCOF event boasted 45 teams from 31 Florida obedience clubs for total entry of 368. The site was the centrally located Orlando Fairgrounds and the Orlando Dog Training Club was, as always, the host group.

Part of the premise behind the DOCOF competition is that nobody disqualifies. Most of the teams consist of nine dogs and handlers: three each in Novice, Open, and Utility. Partial teams are also allowed. When scores are tabulated for each team, the lowest score in each class is dropped. Totaling the remaining team scores determines the placings.

Each club marks off an area and proudly displays its club banner. The clubs provide tables full of food for members and guests. Vendors abound, and various groups hold raffles. Competitors pitch in to help with the setup and the teardown.

For the third year in a row, the Obedience Plus team from Lakeland earned top honors, with the club's second team taking first place and their first team taking second place Third place went to the Marion Alachua Dog Training Club, with fourth going to the Imperial Polk Obedience Club.

The honor of High in Trial went to Mat Twitty and his Shetland Sheepdog, Twitty's Little Spice Girl, CD, of the Imperial Polk team. Second was garnered by Diane Schultz and her Belgian Tervuren, Ch. Summerstorm Higher Ground, TDX, with 197.5 in Novice.

Left: Judge Louise Botko watches an Australian Shepherd check out scent articles. Above: As you can see, dogs of all sizes competed in the Open class Long Sit exersise.