Woofie's  ENDURANCE TEST PAGE - AUGUST 13th 2006
**All photo's Courtesy of Margo Turnbull and Dianne

****Aust CH Mithrandir Mai Kalida ET***

The ENDURANCE TEST or lovingly known as the E.T. is held once a year at Erskine Park in Sydney NSW by Dogs NSW. There are only a few other clubs that hold this event across Australia so the opportunities are limited to gain your Endurance Title (E.T)

Dogs between the age of 2 years and 8 years only are allowed to do the test. With Woofie now over 7 years old this year was the final year for us to be able to run for this title, so I really had to give it and her our best shot. Training for the event began in early June, ramping up in July. I was lucky to have a good friend, Margo, running two dogs this year that I was able to train with.

Training entails ramping up your dogs fitness so that can run 20km and maintain their heart rate and temperature within the required range of a "fit" dog. Over the 2 month period I ended up running the full distance once a week but ran a 6km maintenance run 4 days of the week to keep her fit. The week before the test we went to the snow so her training encompassed sledding and lots of bush hikes through snow. No bike work in the final week before the test.

The day finally dawned early on August 13th and nerves in place - I hope nothing goes wrong as there are a lot of dogs in each pack. We were number 20, 15 dogs in each pack, so I was in the second pack to go out.

Prior to the start of the Test a small obedience test is held - very simple - the dog basically has to show it is paying attention to you. The same test is held at the end of the 20 kilometres. Woofie then had her Heart Rate and temperature taken. Her Heart Rate was 120 and her temperature was 37.9 - it was a chilly morning so she was nice and cool.

The second pack is away - end of lap 3

The first 8 Kilometres

During the first break

At the beginning of each break the Vet in attendance (this year the lovely Penny Mead), check heart rate, temperature and condition of pads. At the end of the first 8 kilometres, Woofie had a HR of 120 (which is her standing heart rate), temperature of 39.6 and no problem with her pads. These were taken as soon as we stopped so she definitely had no problems with condition.

After 15 minutes we were off again to do the second 6 kilometres; Vet check and 20 minute break and then the final 6 kilometres. At the beginning of the second break Woofie's heart rate was 140 and her temperature was 39.9 - still within the limit. At end of the second break Woofie's Heart rate was 120 and temperature was 39.1.

After the final 6 kilometres, as soon as we stopped, Woofie heart rate was 120 and her temperature was 39.8. We completed her obedience with ease and she then qualified for her Endurance Title - Woo hooo :)

The presentation

Finally a presentation is held and we receive our sashes and some small items from the sponsors. All dogs entered in the ET passed on this day, which is great for the dog world as to how well we keep our dogs fit.