Top 10 Dog Sports Recognized Around the World
Keeping a dog active can do wonders for their physical and mental health. Regardless of their breed, your dog may need a certain degree of exercise to burn off all that excess energy. Being less active may result in the dog displaying destructive behavior, anxiety, and obesity.
Dog sports are a fun and awesome way to keep your dog happy and healthy. Aside from that, it can help tap into the dog’s natural working instinct. They are also an excellent way to socialize and meet other dog owners. There are a variety of dog sports that fit the standards for every breed. You’d be surprised to see how competitive your dog can be once he divulges in the perfect sport! Some pet owners participate in dog sports for fun, while others take it up to the next level by entering in major events.
10 Popular Dog Sports Around the World
Dog sports are competitive activities specially designed for dogs. There’s a broad range of activities that are classified under this term. Certain sports may or may not allow their owners to direct their dogs during the actual event.
Here is the list of the most popular canine sports around the world.
1. Agility
Dog agility is a competitive dog sport in which trainers direct dogs through an intricate obstacle course. Dogs are trained to travel through tunnels, make jumps, and navigate through walkways in a specific order and constricted time.
Simple agility courses consist of standard obstacles set up by the panel of judges. The surface of the course could be made of dirt, grass, rubber, or special matting. The courses can cause confusion with dogs, so they’ll need their owners to direct them and decide on handling strategies ahead of time. Dogs are judged based on their speed and accuracy of their run. Dog agility competitions are a great way to develop a sound mind and body for both you and your canine.
2. Disc Dogs
Disc Dog, or Frisbee dog as it is commonly called, challenges the dog and their owners to be the best at throwing and catching flying discs. There are two general divisions in this sport, including the following:
Toss-and-fetch—competitors have a minute to throw as many discs as possible over longer and longer distances. Points are given for the amount of catches the dog makes and the accuracy of each catch.
Freestyle—as the name implies, freestyle involves the handler and dog working together to create a choreographed routine with music. This is one of the most played sports to improve teamwork between the owner and their pet.
Dogs of medium to large breeds can enjoy this sport. You just need to make sure that they develop the drive and energy to catch discs.
3. Dock jumping
Dock jumping is an exciting aquatic sport for dogs, which started in 1997. The goal is to determine which dog can jump the farthest into a pool of water from a dock or elevated platform. One of the most notable dock jumping athletes was Baxter, a Belgian Malinois that made a special appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. Baxter wowed viewers as he leapt from a whooping 29 feet and 11 inches! All types of dog breeds can enjoy this sport, but larger breeds like the Belgian Malinois, retriever types, and greyhounds stand out from the crowd.
4. Sheepdog or Herding Trials
Nothing challenges herding dogs more than placing them in their natural element. A sheepdog trial allows herding dog breeds to move sheep around an open/fenced area with direction from their handlers. A majority of these events happen in farming nations like the United Kingdom, USA, Ireland, Chile, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
More advanced competitions require the dogs to separate a flock of sheep into smaller groups in a process called shedding. If you happen to own an herding breed like the border collie, corgi, bearded collie, or Australian shepherd, then this will be the perfect opportunity to put those herding instincts to good use!
5. Flyball Racing
If you are an avid watcher of Cruft’s annual dog show, then you may already know what flyball is. Flyball is a relay race that involves a team of four dogs. One dog from each team runs a course and jumps through hurdles to reach the flyball box. The dog then steps on a panel and triggers the flyball box to release a tennis ball. Once the dog completes the course, the next dog steps in. The first team to have all four dogs complete the course is declared the winner.
Flyball is an excellent sport to meet new dog owners. While all dogs can be trained to play flyball, the most popular breeds for this sport are Jack Russell terrier, border collie, Australian shepherds, and whippets.
6. Lure Coursing
After hare coursing was banned in certain parts of the world, a more humane way in the form of lure coursing was introduced. It is a fast-paced game where the dogs chase an artificial lure across the field to compete for the fastest time. In most cases, obstacle courses are involved to make the race more challenging.
7. Obedience Trials
You are probably familiar with basic obedience principles already. But did you know that your dog can actually compete to win a title for it? Over time, a dog can be trained to master commands so they can earn formal titles like Companion Dog or Utility Dog. This activity may not be as physically engaging as other dog sports on this list, but it is a good way to fortify obedience in your dog.
8. Earthdog Trials
Earthdog trials are ideal for smaller dogs. The main goal is for the dog to go through a safe man-made underground trial that is modeled after a real-life burrow. They hunt down the scent of a prey usually in the form of a rodent that is safely protected in a sturdy box. Dachshunds, Jack Russell terrier, West Highland terrier, and Welsh terriers are known to excel at Earthdog trials.
9. Tracking
A dog’s sense of smell is known as its most dominant sense. Tracking trials encourage dogs to make use of this strong facility through a search-and-rescue scenario. Dogs and their handlers will need to work on their teamwork to succeed in this sport.
Different organizations may specify their own rules for the game, but the objective remains the same. Dogs need to find the “lost” article that was dropped somewhere along the track. The tracks are laid, marked, and mapped by organizers ahead of the competition. Veterans of this sport are usually involved with professional search-and-rescue organizations.
10. Sled Dog Racing
Sled dog racing is a popular winter dog sport held in Arctic regions around the United States, Canada, Russia, and other European nations. It involves a team of sled dogs that pull a sled with the dog driver standing on the runners. The team that completes the marked course in the fastest time is declared the winner.
The American Dog Derby is the longest-running dogsled race in the USA. It was also the first dogsled race to be recognized around the world. Another notable dog race is the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, also known as the “Last Great Race on Earth.” The race requires a team of 12–16 dogs to race from Anchorage to Nome, crossing some of the most beautiful terrains in the entire planet. Sled dog breeds include the Alaskan malamute, Siberian husky, Samoyed, and Chinook.
Now that you’ve reached the end of the list, you’re probably excited to get started on the dog sport of choice. Before anything else, you need to make sure your dog goes through a veterinary examination to check for conditions or ailments that prevent them from engaging in strenuous activities. Once your vet gives the go signal, it is time to start challenging your dog’s mind and body while having loads of fun together!
