Pooches great and small put their best paw forward at the Common Woof Games.
The Melbourne Dog Lovers Show -- running from May 4 to May 6 -- is celebrating the year of the dog by testing their speed, strength, agility, and endurance in a series of 11 events -- from high jump to hurdles, and barrel racing to basketball.
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Strong Swimmer? A dog from Australia jumps into a pool of water as he competes in the Speed Retrieve event at the "Common Woof Games". Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
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Taco, the boxer, shows off his energy as he jumps into the limelight. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
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Australian shepherds keep the country's flag flying high at the event. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
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He swerves left, then to his right! A pooch weaves in and out of poles at the event. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
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The Good Shepherd? A dog rounds up sheep as he competes in the Common Woof Games. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
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A few gray hair won't stop this canine. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
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As Taylor Swift sang, 'Shake it off'. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images
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Let's have a round of a-paws for all our contestants. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images