The dog days of summer have arrived.

Canines of all shapes and sizes went howling off a dock in Scarborough on Sunday in Maine’s first Dock Dogs jumping competition of the summer. There were three categories of competition: longest jump, highest jump and fastest retrieval.

Golden retriever Dozer, teammate of Mike Kleiner of Farmington, N.H., lands in the pool during the Big Air Distance event of the Dock Dogs jumping competition in Scarborough on Sunday A rescue dog, the golden retriever jumped 10 feet.

Golden retriever Dozer, teammate of Mike Kleiner of Farmington, N.H., lands in the pool during the Big Air Distance event of the Dock Dogs jumping competition in Scarborough on Sunday A rescue dog, the golden retriever jumped 10 feet.

Of course, there were Labrador retrievers soaring to top-three finishes. But all breeds of dogs were welcome, as a standard poodle flew to 14 feet in its first distance competition.

Maise, a yellow Labrador retriever of Stanfordville, N.Y., catches a toy in midair on his way to a leap of 20 feet, 6 inches at the Dock Dogs jumping competition in Scarborough on Sunday.

Maise, a yellow Labrador retriever of Stanfordville, N.Y., catches a toy in midair on his way to a leap of 20 feet, 6 inches at the Dock Dogs jumping competition in Scarborough on Sunday.

In the masters class, top dogs had to clear 20 feet to earn a podium finish in the distance competition. The top three finishers in each class and event were awarded medallions and credits to enter other Dock Dogs events. The club will put on three events in Maine this summer, including one in Kittery next weekend. They have to take a big bite out of summer while they can.

Standard poodle Astrid, who is owned by Amy Stempel of Wakefield, R.I., lands in the pool during the distance competition.

Standard poodle Astrid, who is owned by Amy Stempel of Wakefield, R.I., lands in the pool during the distance competition.


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