Flyball- Competitive dog sport

Flyball is a wonderfully exciting sport for both dog, dog owners and spectators alike. The sport offers exercise and stimulation for the most active and inteligent dog breeds. Not only does it provide a great way of stimulating our pets but flyball competitions are also a fantastic social event for dog and owners alike.

Flyball - A Brief History

The sport laid down routes in America and didn’t make a British debut of any impact until Crufts in 1990. Dog agility enthusiasts became involved in the sport and it grew in popularity throughout the early to mid 1990`s. The sport of flyball is still increasing in popularity today. The British Flyball Association was born out of a growing need to provide the sport with a central body to both help develop the growth of the sport and regulate competition rules.

Flyball - The Basics

Flyball is a knockout competition between two teams of dogs. Each team has its own flyball lane which incorporates four sets of hurdles for the dogs to jump. At the end of each teams lane is a Flyball box which contains tennis balls. The balls are released by a platform trigger mechanism actuated by the action of the dog stepping onto the platform at the end of each run. Once the dog has released the ball and taken hold it returns back up the track and over the start line. At this point the second dog sets off and repeats the coarse, not unlike that of a swimming relay. A total of four dogs in each team participate and the winner is the team to get their fourth dog over the finish line first.

Getting Involved

Flyball is such a great way to exercise your dog, interact with your dog and just generally show them off.  I highly recommend giving it a go.

For more information and further details on the best way of getting you and your dog involved  I would recommend contacting the British Flyball Association. A simple search on Google will provide the most up to date contact details.