Dogged Competitors Chase Fame In Westminster's Friskier Face-Off

The formal 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show kicks off Monday, although it’s not like one of its perfectly poised pooch contenders would kick. The canines that are more into moving than grooming competed in Saturday’s Masters Agility Championship in New York City.

That is where a black and white border collie named Fame(US) — pronounced "famous" — lived up to her name, winning the contest that tests dogs' agility and speed as they maneuver through an obstacle course.

The 7-and-a-half-year-old from Sparta, N.J., nicknamed Fame, beat more than 300 competitors for the top spot.

"It's difficult to top her athletic ability," Fame's owner and handler Jessica Ajoux, a professional agility trainer, told The Associated Press.

In a blur of fur, Fame navigated a course that includes a seesaw, hurdles, and tunnels with a time of 29.53 seconds, reports NJ.com.

Fame bested last year's winner, another border collie named Trick, by a bit more than three seconds.

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images A Chihuahua-terrier mix named Jefe (pronounced HEFF-ay) from Sebastopol, Calif., was awarded a separate prize for the top mixed-breed agility dog.

Jefe's handler Liza Buckner told the AP that he was among a litter of starving puppies found under a house, which has helped make him the resilient pooch he is today.

Close to 3,000 entries are competing in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show beginning Monday.