The waves were small, but the surf was ruff.

Dogs big and small gathered to ride waves in Huntington Beach Saturday, Sept. 23, for the annual “Surf City Surf Dog” contest, which drew more than 40 pups to take on the 1-3 foot waves.

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Would you sell your dog for the right price? Some people say yes In addition to the surfing pooches that came from all around Southern California, there were international competitors, two canines from Brazil and a bulldog from Canada.

Abbie girl, a black-and-tan Australian kelpie, was the longest competing surfing dog in the crowd, marking her 10th year of riding waves. She just won a dog surfing world championship in San Francisco.

Her owner Michael Uy said Abbie girl was a rescue who he would take to the beach to rehab when he first got her. One day, the dog followed Uy out into the water while he swam, and soon he put her on a surfboard and she instantly stood up.

“She’s one of the only dogs that gets up on the board by herself, that’s how I know she wants to keep surfing. And when she falls off, she knows how to get back on the board,” said Uy, of Santa Monica.

“We just love getting out in the water with everyone,” he said. “On shore, everyone’s competitors, but in the water, we’re all friends. Everyone’s just surfers.”

The Surf City Surf Dog event is in its ninth year. It serves as a charity fundraiser for several canine non-profits.

The fun kicked off Friday with a dog fashion show at Bella Terra, and continues Sunday with a “SUP with your Pup” event hosted by Pirate Coast Paddle Company in the Newport Back Bay. Cost is $20 an hour.

More information: surfdogevents.com

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