Dogs Let Loose At The Dancer Dog Ball

By Nancy K. Crevier

Anne Engen of Weston, president of the Unleashed Dance Company, a member group of the World Canine Freestyle Organization, hosted more than two dozen dancing dogs and their owners for the Dancer Dog Ball, during a weekend in June, at the group’s Newtown facility, at 16 Commerce Road.

From tiny French bulldogs to oversized Newfoundlands, the dogs and trainers pranced, weaved, leaped, and spun through choreographed routines set to music, in the World Canine Freestyle Organization back-to-back titling competition.

Engen and her Welsh Corgi dogs have been involved in dog dancing competitions since first training at a Doggone Smart in Norwalk eight years ago, she said.

The Unleashed Dance Company shares the 16 Commerce Road facility with GMT Racing, owned by Travis Engen, and provides a private practice space for area “dog dancers” and their owners, as well as a small competition arena.

“This competition is to encourage people and their dogs who have stage fright, or are new to dog dancing, to come out and compete,” Engen said.

More information about the World Canine Freestyle Organization and area dog dancing classes can be found at worldca ninefreestyle.org.