MAN’S best friend was put through its paces yesterday in a bid to find Swindon’s canniest canine.

A dog agility course was one of the attractions at a charity-run event in Lydiard Park in West Swindon.

It saw around 150 dogs of all shapes and sizes tackle one of two assault courses – one for puppies and small pets, and another for bigger, more experienced dogs.

The clock was ticking as they had to negotiate hurdles, tunnels and ramps.

Some, like seven-year-old Kerry blue terrier Mia, struggled to hold their attention.

She clocked in at one minute, 29 seconds.

Owner Vivienne Lea, 67, of Cheney Manor, said: “She could have done a lot better. But it’s her first time she’s done anything like this. She’s very well behaved normally. But there are too many other dogs here and she’s distracted.”

But at the end of the day there could only be one winner.

It was five-year-old chocolate labrador Ruby, who made the course in a lightening 19 seconds.

Owner Sarah Nethercot, 26, of Lansdown Road, Old Town, said: “She enjoyed it, I think. And a sausage at the end of it may help.”

Her prize? A quantity of dog food.

At £1 a go, the course, run by Janet’s Puppy Skool, raised around £150.

Brent Boxley, local chairman of animal charity, the PSDA, said although the fete had been well attended, their target for the whole day was to raise around £1,000 – half of last year’s target.

“It’s just the state of the economy,” he said.