For Dogs and Owners, A Peachy Celebration Of Summer on a Farm

A Chihuahua the size of a soccer ball, a frisky black Australian cattle dog and a chocolate-colored puggle were among dozens of canines that had starring roles in the Dog Days Peach and Sunflower Festival last weekend at Great Country Farms.

Some dog owners drove as far as 50 miles to rural Bluemont for the annual series of dog events, which began early Saturday with a retriever race. Armed with scooping bags and doggy treats, owners were pulled by their excited pets throughout the day from one activity to the next.

"We've been looking forward to this weekend all summer long," said Keith Bryner, who drove from the District with his wife and their two dogs, Bernie and Hines.

The venues for the activities included five wooded mazes, a peach orchard, a pond and an agility course consisting of colorful tunnels, poles striped like candy canes and a tire jump.

Rhonda May, founder of the canine training company FunDogs, said she designed the agility course to further dogs' training.

"We're exposing them to different dog adventures," May said. "It's built on the basic foundation of sit and stay, so the more your dog does it, the easier it gets."

Greg and Brynn Slate of Falls Church led Rosco, their Labrador-terrier, through the course's obstacles. They said the drive was worth it to "be able to try the agility course and the peaches."

Great Country Farms, a working farm with a petting zoo and a picnic and fishing area, began offering the Dog Days Peach and Sunflower Festival six years ago. Since then, the event has been a big hit with pet owners, said Kate Zurschmeide, the farm's co-owner.

"You can bring your dog here on a leash," Zurschmeide said, "and you can do off-leash by the pond."

Loudoun County has no public off-leash areas for dogs. The Leesburg Town Council dropped plans in March to build a public dog park.