People and their pooches took to the arena today at the Tauranga and Mount Maunganui dog clubs' Triple Championship Jumpers Event in Papamoa.

Mount club agility trainer Michelle Burggraff with puppy 'Tazy'. Photos by Daniel Hines.

The public watched as more than 300 dogs boasted agility and coordination on a jump course.

Starting on Saturday and finishing today, the dogs have been showing off their skills learned in their weekly canine agility classes.

Mount Club secretary Sue Andresen says the event features dogs from any age, shape and size complete a course of jumps in the fastest time possible.

'It's like show jumping for dogs.”

The ‘micro mini' section sees miniature poodles and schnauzers competing while the ‘maxi' class sees bigger dogs including huntaways and heading dogs take to the jumps.

'Anything goes really.”

Sue says the shows often prompts interest from as far as Auckland and across the central North Island.

She says agility training and competing is a lot of fun for both dogs and their owners.

'It's so much fun. It's really a fun day out with your dogs.”

Mount Maunganui agility trainer Michelle Burggraff and her two and a half-year-old pup ‘Tazy' showed off their skills in the ‘midi' class with the border collie cross smithfield taking out first and second places in the beginning ‘c' jumpers level.

Michelle has been an agility trainer for around 10 years and says she enjoys the sport.

'It's my sport. It's a really social sport. It builds a really good bond with your dog and it keeps your dog active. It's lovely to see the bond that people have with their dogs. That's the nice thing.”

She says Tazy started competing when she was 18 months old – the youngest a pup can be to compete in agility.

'She's a working dog she's really easy to train. She's really keen.”

Both Tauranga and Mount Maunganui clubs hold weekly agility classes, where dogs and their owners work together through different levels, some often training to compete in shows like todays.

Agility training can begin when dogs are 12 months old, but it is advised all puppies complete obedience training before then.

Five-week obedience courses are run at the clubs, teaching puppies aged three months and older basic training including sitting, waiting, lead work and good behaviour around other dogs.Chris Ross and pet dog Takurua.