Incredible Dog Challenge
It is an extreme sports competition for dogs. Some of the country's most athletic canines showcase their talents in Purina Dog Chow's Incredible Dog Challenge. CBS News Saturday Morning is following the action as dogs from around the country qualify for the finals this summer in St. Louis.
The winter edition of the "doggie games" in Breckenridge, Colorado included a quarter-mile sled dog race and an avalanche rescue competition. Golden retriever Sandy took less than 30 seconds to find her "victim" buried under six feet of snow.
The biggest crowd pleaser, though, was Chico, a four-year-old border collie who won the Frisbee event with a perfect chest-jump-double backflip.
Chico earned a trip to the Incredible Dog Challenge finals at Purina Farms, Ralston-Purina's headquarters in St. Louis on June 12. There, dogs compete in four main categories, including dog diving, flyball, Frisbee and an agility contest.
The Incredible Dog Challenge benefits Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Fund (ARF). Prizes are donations to ARF made in the winning dogs' names. La Russa, currently manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, founded ARF in 1991 to help homeless cats and dogs.
The Incredible Dog Challenge is in its second year and will raise $75,000 for ARF.
The next regional competition will be held in Pomona, California, on April 17 followed by events in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Jersey City, New Jersey. CBS News Saturday Morning will follow the competition, including the national finals in St. Louis.
For more information on the Incredible Dog Challenge, go to the Purina Web site at www.dogchow.com.
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