Dog-gone marketing

More canine athletes are sporting company logos at events and shows, according to a July 26, 2005 article in The Wall Street Journal. "It's only natural that the pet-products industry would borrow a trick from Nike and Reebok and sign sponsorship deals with them," the article reports. Plus, "Dogs don't take steroids, brawl with the fans, and get caught up in sex scandals."

At least five major cable and broadcast networks have shown canine sports this year, according to the article, which is part of the reason sponsorships are so popular. Of course, the gear isn't allowed to hamper the dogs' performance. The American Kennel Club prohibits T-shirts, bandannas, or visors during competition—though before and after, they're fair game.