Rain doesn't stop fairgoers

By Diane Graff of the Daily Times staff
Thursday, August 16, 2007 12:46 PM CDT

A pair of dogs perform a high wire act to the bemusement of trainer Johnny Peers during a performance of the Muttville Comix act at the Dodge County Fair Wednesday. (John Hart/Daily Times)

BEAVER DAM - The Dodge County Fair has gone to the dogs. Not literally, but figuratively as the 4-H dog show was held at the Farm Progress Arena Wednesday night followed by a mutt show near the youth building.

The Muttville Comix is new to the Dodge County Fair this year, although entertainer Johnny Peer said he was at the Jefferson County Fair last summer with his array of dogs.

The animals do everything from a high “rope” act to getting in the mail. They can also do mathematical problems.

Peer, of Sarasota, Fla., began his latest tour with the comic canine routine about three weeks ago, making stops at fairs in Illinois. He will be traveling with the trailer of dogs through mid-October.

Each of the 15 dogs have unique stories, Peer said from behind his trailer at the fairgrounds. Most of the animals came from shelters, he said.

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“They do a lot of comedy tricks,” Peer said. “I like laying around with them. That is how I train them,” he added.

“It is all entertainment,” Peer said. “I love to see the audience smile and make them forget their troubles,” he added.

The entertainment starts instantly when the dogs come running out from behind a curtain up to the crowd. As the dogs appear, the children in the audience let out squeals of delight.

As the song “Puppy Love” fills the air, Peer goes about like a mime, having the dogs do various acts and tricks.

In one of the first acts, a dog retrieves a letter from a mailbox that reads “Welcome.” The dog returns the letter to the box, closes the door and receives a round of applause when he puts the flag up.

The dogs do everything from climbing up Peer's leg to running under him as he does a handstand. Then two dogs make an arch and have another dog walk underneath.

Most of the 30-minute performance is interacting with the audience members.

Peer selects children from the audience to assist with the tricks, including holding rings for the dogs to go through on the high rope and gesturing to make the animals perform.

He even makes one dog disappear but receives word from the audience the dog is on his back.

Mr. Rascal is the intelligent one of the bunch as he pulls cards to answer the mathematical problems poised by Peer on a chalkboard. The rest of the dogs sit in a row along the trailer as each animal performs.

The show includes Daphne, the only skateboarding basset hound, Peers said.

“Any dog can be a good dog,” Peer tells the audience at the conclusion of his performance. “These are my best friends.”

Peer said what is unique about the Dodge County Fair is his location on the grounds. He said he has never performed next to a dairy barn before. Occasionally, the dogs “wonder what it is all about,” he said.

The Muttville Comix perform today, Friday and Saturday at 2, 4 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2, 4 and 6 p.m.

Along with the dog show, the Kandu and Company Magic Show has returned to the grounds for daily performances. The Log Hoggers Chainsaw Sculpting Demonstrations are also held daily at the fair.