South Africa’s passion for dog agility is leaping onto the global stage once again as Philip Fourie of Gordon’s Bay and his exceptional canine partner, Duke, have been selected to represent the nation at the prestigious 2025 World Agility Championships.
The event will be held at the CS Ranch in Givrins, Switzerland from Monday 16 to Sunday 22 June.
Dog agility, a dynamic and engaging sport, is rapidly gaining traction among enthusiasts in South Africa. Philip and Duke are no strangers to international competition, having previously represented the country at the 2019 World Agility Championships in the Netherlands, where they achieved an impressive 18th place out of over 180 talented dogs from around the globe.
Since an article highlighting their achievements in 2020, Philip and Duke have continued their remarkable journey, competing annually across all six national regions in SA (“Local man and dog off to Belgium”, DistrictMail, 3 February 2020).
Their dedication has resulted in an astounding 17 overall trophies added to the four already secured before 2020.
Duke’s exceptional talent and consistency have seen him qualify for the world championships every year since 2019. However, Philip and Duke have strategically chosen to attend this year’s prestigious event in Switzerland.
Their dominance on the national stage is further underscored by the addition of nine more South African champion titles since 2019, building on their previous championship win.
“Duke has achieved four Grand Champion titles and two Elite Champion titles, solidifying his position as one of the top agility dogs in the country,” said Philip.
Remarkably, they are on the cusp of achieving unprecedented milestones, nearing their fifth and sixth Grand Champion titles and their third Elite Champion title – feats no other dog has ever accomplished in SA.
Philip and Duke maintain a rigorous weekly training schedule and, in addition to the national competitions, actively participate in club trials within the Western Province and Boland regions.
Qualifying for the world championships demands significant dedication and skill. A dog must attend at least three trials nationwide and accumulate enough points to secure a top qualifying position.
“Duke has not only met this requirement every year, but has consistently excelled, qualifying in first place and earning the title of South African champion or double South African champion for the past three consecutive years,” Philip said.
The selection to represent one’s country on the international stage is a significant honour, reflecting countless hours of rigorous training and unwavering commitment.
For Philip and Duke this journey involves daily training sessions and parti-
cipation in various workshops led by both local and international agility experts. Their competitive schedule is demanding, including one or two single-day competitions each month, alongside five intense three-day national competitions annually. This dedication often involves travelling thousands of kilometres across the country.
Philip’s commitment extends beyond handling Duke; he maintains an extensive personal fitness programme to ensure he is in peak physical condition to complement Duke’s agility. Duke, in turn, receives the best nutrition in carefully measured portions to maintain his optimal weight and benefits from regular veterinary check-ups to guarantee he is in prime condition for competition.
For many dog-agility handlers worldwide representing their country at the annual World Championships, typically held in the Northern Hemisphere, is a lifelong ambition.
However, for the South African team the journey to these international events is often a costly undertaking, making them heavily reliant on the generosity of sponsors to realise their dreams.
Supporters eager to follow Philip and Duke’s progress at the 2025 IFCS World Agility Championships will be able to watch the event live on YouTube. An active blog will also provide updates and insights into the competition.
The South African agility community sincerely hopes that individuals and businesses will consider assisting the pair with sponsorship by calling 072 865 8863.
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