MANCHESTER — One of the trainers at All Dogs Gym in Manchester is heading with her dog to the Czech Republic next month to compete in the world Agility Championships for dogs.

The competition features dogs running courses that test a dog’s agility and speed, said Laura Dolan, who teaches a dog agility course on Tuesdays at All Dogs Gym. It’s similar to an equestrian course during the Olympics, but shrunk down for little dogs, like her pooch, Race, a 3-year-old Shetland Sheepdog.

The object is simple: complete the courses in as little time as possible.

“The faster the better,” said Dolan, who lives in Westford, Mass.

Race competes against the smallest of three sizes of dogs and is one of 12 dogs on the U.S. team — four in each of the three divisions — that will compete against teams from around the world. He will compete in individual and team competitions, with two “runs” for each competition.

Dolan said her family is coming with her to the Czech Republic and also will vacation there. They leave Sept. 30. The competition runs from Oct. 4 to Oct. 7.

“If we can land down clean, I think we can at least medal, but who knows,” Dolan said.

Dolan, who last competed at the worldwide competition when she took Race’s great aunt to Spain in 2005, said Race is younger than most dogs in the competition, but took to competitive agility quickly.

“He’s quite an amazing little dog,” she said. “I’d say he’s got plenty of speed for us. He should be right there and be able to compete with other dogs.”

Dolan said anyone with just about any dog — OK, maybe not a Saint Bernard — can have fun running agility courses with their dogs.

“You can take it to as high a level as you want to or you can just go to All Dogs Gym and play,” she said. “I think it’s a wonderful sport for everybody.

“I take it to the extreme” by competing worldwide, she said.

tbuckland@unionleader.com