The Westminster Dog Show has its first mixed-breed agility winner, and her name is Nimble

NEW YORK — When the Westminster Kennel Club dog show added an agility competition a decade ago, it opened the U.S. dog elite’s door to mixed breeds for the first time since the late 1800s.

But purebred dogs have won every year — until Saturday, when a border collie-papillion mix aptly named Nimble outpaced and bested 50 other finalists to claim the trophy and plant a flag for mixed-breed dogs everywhere.

“She just tries hard and is a wonderful dog,” trainer Cynthia Hornor told the Associated Press this week.

Standing around 30.5 cm tall, Nimble passed through an obstacle course with jumps, tunnels, ramps and other features, like a furry, black and white, well-aimed torpedo, receiving applause from the crowd in the agility finals.

Victory goes to the fastest canine, with penalties for any error in overcoming obstacles. Handlers run alongside to signal the dogs where to go. A time of less than 30 seconds is remarkable.

Nimble had a flawless run in 28.76 seconds, more than a second ahead of his closest competitor, a border collie named Vanish. Border collies had dominated in previous years, and no dog as small as Nimble had won before.

“I wasn’t sure it was possible,” said Hornor, an agility coach from Ellicott City, Md., who won the agility competition last year with a border collie named Truant. Truant also competed this year, but Hornor doesn’t think he was jealous of Nimble’s win: “Truant loves her.”

Nimble was deliberately bred from two breeds known for their agility. Devotees of the sport even have a term for the mix: “border paps”.

Still, his victory amplifies Westminster’s promise to celebrate all dogs.

“We were thrilled” to see what the show world calls an “all-American” winner, said club president Donald Sturz.

The Westminster show, which dates to 1877, included some mixed breeds in its early days but soon became a purebreds-only event. It focuses on the breed-by-breed judging that leads to the coveted best in show award.

By adding agility in 2014, the club embraced a fast-growing sport – and a way to widen its tent, attract a wider audience of dog lovers and provide something of a retort to long-standing criticism from animal rights activists who they see Westminster as a misguided entity. canine beauty contest for the set with pedigree. The agility contest includes a special prize for the best mixed-race competitor.

As for Nimble, she may be a special speedster mix, but she’s also a regular dog who loves to swim, hike and just hang out, Hornor said.

“She’s a great dog to be around,” she said. “She’s calm – until she leaves.”