Tango, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in the Agility Trial of the ESPN Great Outdoor Games, blazes through The Weave Poles.

Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan and Deion Sanders are part of a short but impressive list of athletes capable of competing in two sports. They brought a whole new meaning to cross training.

Add to that list Tango. You haven't heard of him yet. But he might be a little obvious during the Agility Trials at the upcoming ESPN Great Outdoor Games.

Like Michael Jordan in a White Sox uniform, Tango will look a little out of place when he takes the field against the 20 black and white Border Collies in the Agility Trial. As a matter of fact, Tango, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, would look more at home in the Big Air event or the Retriever Trials.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers were developed in the early 19th century to toll, or lure, waterfowl into gun range. The playful action of the Toller retrieving a stick or ball along the shoreline arouses the curiosity of ducks offshore, mesmerizing them, making them forget everything else and eventually tolling them toward a hunter. And when the playing is over, the Toller then retrieves the downed birds.

The latter, of course, would make Tango a perfect candidate for the retriever trials. But it's the playful nature of a Toller that makes Tango a perfect fit for the Agility Trials.

"He's my superstar because he's so versatile,'' said Kim Simons, Tango's owner/handler. "His ground speed is tremendous. He can beat our Border Collie in a flat out run. He's smart, quick and talented."

	“	He's my superstar because he's so versatile. His ground speed is tremendous. He can beat our Border Collie in a flat out run. He's smart, quick and talented. ”
		— Kim Simons, Tango's owner/handler

All of those qualities are assets when you consider the Agility Trials test a dog in many ways. The competition is based on how fast a dog can complete an obstacle course that includes twists and turns, jumps and climbing, weaving and flat-out sprinting

That fits right in with Tango's resume, even if he doesn't look the part of your standard Agility competitor. But he's used to that.

"Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are a pretty rare breed in the United States,'' Simons, of Northridge, Calif. said. "There are only about 600 or 700 across the country, and only about 40 or so Tollers competing in agility. And all of them do quite well. But Tango is probably the fastest Toller I've ever come across.''

Which sometimes causes problems for the team.

"Our biggest issue is that I've had to adjust to his speed, and we've been inconsistent in the past,'' Simons said. "I went from a slower dog to rocket dog, and my timing has had to improve. I'm usually his biggest problem when we're on course."

Out-running their handlers is a problem Border Collie teams appear not have, since this year's field is made up of some of the most highly decorated winning teams in the country. They are all used to winning. Tango, on the other hand has yet to win a major competition.

"We don't have any national competition highlights or wins like many of the other dogs that we're competing against, but we're working on it,'' Simons said. "But Tango truly can compete with the big boys."

The two are constantly training to prove that in the GO Games. And when that day comes Tango could have an ace under his collar.

Remember, Tollers are used to tolling or luring their prey. When Tango takes the field, there's a chance that he could mesmerize his competitors, make them forget everything else, even the Gold Medal.

And if that doesn't work, he could always make a run for the Gold Medal in the Retriever Trials.