Those residents who saw the July 20 episode of A&E’s canine competition series, “America’s Top Dog” saw a story about a girl and her dog that, in actuality, is so much more. Indeed, Brooksville Veterinary Technician Andrea Reid and her dog Knots are far more than just trainer and pet; They’re best friends. “Knots gets me out of bed in the morning,” said Reid of her 3-year-old Ibizan hound. “He runs to my bed and looks at me as if to say, ‘Let’s go!'”
Andrea and Knots are always on the go, competing both in local shows in Brooksville and across Tampa Bay, and in the recent Westminster Dog Show. Now, this Grand Champion dog competes on America’s Top Dog, which unites working dogs, K9s, and “underdogs” from across the nation to compete for the title of “Top Dog” alongside their handlers on a massive canine obstacle course throughout two rounds of competition that test their speed, agility, teamwork, and trust. Season two introduces a new and even more challenging format that comes complete with head-to-head matchups, pitting pups against one another to discover who is Top Dog. The winners of each of the three classes face-off head-to-head to determine who is that week’s Top Dog. Each week, the winning team will receive a $10,000 cash prize as well as an additional $5,000 to donate to the animal charity of their choice. In the final week, the winning teams return for the final competition for the title of “America’s Top Dog” and an additional $25,000. The competition continues across season three with even more breeds, high stakes and new rules.
“He had to do jumping, agility, fences, water obstacles, and more,” said Reid of Knots’ Top Dog challenges. The pair also had a lot of fun at the program’s Los Angeles location, staying at a nice hotel and interacting with show hosts; award-winning veteran studio and sports broadcaster Curt Menefee (“FOX NFL Sunday,” “The OT”), actor and comedian David Koechner (“Anchorman,” “The Office”), and sideline reporter Rachel Bonnetta (FOX Sports, “FOX Bet Live”).
Also featured on Top Dog is candid footage of Knots and Reid at play, at one point exchanging a festive high five that symbolizes their friendship. “I acquired Knots as a puppy at 8 weeks. I couldn’t believe he was real. He’s always with me,” said Reid. She praises the advanced skills of her best friend, who she says with a chuckle is, “both smart and pretty.” And she credits him with a personal accomplishment of her own. In recent months, Andrea Reid lost more than 80 pounds. “If I’m not at my best, I’m standing in his way,” she said. “I needed to be healthier to help Knots compete.”
In the future, Reid plans to enter Knots in the competitions that will help him attain Triple Champion status. But regardless, in the heart of Andrea Reid, Knots will always be Top Dog.
The two-hour premiere of “America’s Top Dog” airs Tuesdays at 8pm ET on A&E. View the series promo here: https://qrgo.page.link/D8AY
