Not All Elite Athletes Are of the Human Variety

Anyone who has played fetch with a dog knows the canine potential for running and jumping—and that a dog’s enthusiasm can outlast your arm. “Dogs use oxygen more efficiently than humans,” says  Dr. RuthAnn Lobos (DVM, CCRT, CVAT) and senior veterinarian at Nestle Purina PetCare. “That increased efficiency gives their muscles the fuel they need for energy and endurance.” And when dogs get the proper nutrition, their athletic potential is truly unleashed.

You can see for yourself by watching Purina’s Incredible Dog Challenge, an annual televised competition where dogs from across the country compete in a variety of agility, strength, and stamina events. The show highlights their incredible speed and massive power for jumping. And now you have a chance to see these top canine athletes in person—and challenge yourself to see how your athleticism compares—at the Outside Festival, in a special event fueled by Pro Plan Sport. The Outside Festival, a music-film-gear-skills gathering in Denver on June 1–2, is the perfect venue for seeing these canine superstars in action. Here’s everything you need to know.

Canine Athletes vs. Humans

At this year’s Outside Festival, Pro Plan is giving every human who visits the Incredible Dog Experience the chance to see how they measure up to elite canine athletes in a series of challenges that show just how impressive dogs can be with high-performance fuel. “Dogs are truly amazing athletes,” says senior brand manager Christina Schneider for Purina Pro Plan. “Our show just gives them a stage to show off what they were born to do. It’s a whole lot of high-flying, back-flipping, tail-wagging fun.”

Ready to take on top canine athletes? Here’s a look at the events you can compete in at the Outside Festival:

• Vertical Jump: The highest recorded vertical leap by a dog is nine feet, and most canines can jump roughly one to three times their height, or the average height of a person. How will you measure up?
• Quick Weave: Race against the clock to see if you can outperform the canine record holder, with a time of 5.88 seconds or less, on a 24-pole, quick-weave course.
• Long Leap: To beat the record for longest leap by a dog, you’d need to jump 36 feet, or the length of a school bus. Think you’re up for the challenge?

Watch: 2023 Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge National Championship Finals

Fueled by Pro Plan Sport

Just like human athletes, dogs need proper fuel to ensure their bodies can perform at the highest level. Whether your dog is competing in agility events or racking up trail miles, Pro Plan Sport formulas provide active dogs with strength and stamina to crush every adventure.

“Purina Pro Plan Sport dog food formulas are made to support canine athletes. The fine-tuned 30/20 protein-to-fat ratio helps dogs maintain lean muscle mass while fueling their metabolic needs to optimize their VO2 max for increased endurance,” says  Dr. Lobos. “Amino acids nourish muscles in recovery, while glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids promote joint health for mobility.”

Read More: How to Feed Your Adventure Dog

Event Details

The Incredible Dog Experience will be held at the Outside Festival at Denver’s Civic Center Park on June 1 and 2, with six opportunities to see the dogs in action at 1:30, 3:00, and 4:30 p.m. both days. For your chance to compete against top canine athletes, stop by the Purina Pro Plan activation any time from 1:00 to 7:30 p.m. throughout the festival.

Empowering owners. Advancing nutrition. And improving pets’ lives. Pro Plan is reimagining what breakthrough pet nutrition can do. Our pioneering mindset inspires us to turn the impossible into incredible new products that can help pets enjoy a happier, healthier life and strengthen the bond they share with their owners. Visit Proplan.com to learn more.