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DOG SPORTS
Dog breeds innately have a need for a job. Most were bred to work a specific job.
For example:
Border collies, shetland sheepdogs, collies, and corgis were bred to herd sheep and keep them within boundaries.
Dachshunds were bred to be fearless, persistent, long, and low to the ground in order to dive into burrows and chase out badgers.
Poodles were bred to dive into ponds and retrieve birds shot by their owners.
Jack russell terriers were bred to have high stamina to help hunt fox.
St. Bernards were bred to help save lives in the Alps after snowstorms.
If you are unsure of what your dog's breed was designed to do, look up their history online. You may learn a lot about why they act the way they do. If you have a mixed breed, you may still see certain characteristics of specific breeds in their personality and behavior.
Dogs typically need a job. They are also usually much happier with a job. Without "work" many high energy breeds or highly intelligent breeds will make up their own job. Their idea of a "job" might not be the same as your idea of a job! It could be attacking all the pillows in your house, chasing squirrels in the window, patrolling the activities of your neighbors, or destroying your shoes. The reason your dog is doing that is because they have a need to do something that gives them mental and physical stimulation.
In the modern world we live in today, many dogs aren't used for the jobs they once were in the past. However, there are also many dog activities that you can participate in that will satisfy their need to work.
Here are some of the most common, you can also google your breed and see if there are further activities specific to them:
For example:
Border collies, shetland sheepdogs, collies, and corgis were bred to herd sheep and keep them within boundaries.
Dachshunds were bred to be fearless, persistent, long, and low to the ground in order to dive into burrows and chase out badgers.
Poodles were bred to dive into ponds and retrieve birds shot by their owners.
Jack russell terriers were bred to have high stamina to help hunt fox.
St. Bernards were bred to help save lives in the Alps after snowstorms.
If you are unsure of what your dog's breed was designed to do, look up their history online. You may learn a lot about why they act the way they do. If you have a mixed breed, you may still see certain characteristics of specific breeds in their personality and behavior.
Dogs typically need a job. They are also usually much happier with a job. Without "work" many high energy breeds or highly intelligent breeds will make up their own job. Their idea of a "job" might not be the same as your idea of a job! It could be attacking all the pillows in your house, chasing squirrels in the window, patrolling the activities of your neighbors, or destroying your shoes. The reason your dog is doing that is because they have a need to do something that gives them mental and physical stimulation.
In the modern world we live in today, many dogs aren't used for the jobs they once were in the past. However, there are also many dog activities that you can participate in that will satisfy their need to work.
Here are some of the most common, you can also google your breed and see if there are further activities specific to them:
AGILITY
Agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Courses contain jumps, tunnels, an A frame, dog walk, teeter, weave poles, and table. The handler's controls are limited to voice, movement, and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the animal and coordination of the handler.
Agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Courses contain jumps, tunnels, an A frame, dog walk, teeter, weave poles, and table. The handler's controls are limited to voice, movement, and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the animal and coordination of the handler.
BARN HUNT
Barn Hunt is based on the traditional roles of many breeds in ridding farms, barns, crop storage areas, and homes of destructive vermin. It is open to any dog of any breed or mix who wishes to play the game and can fit through an 18" wide by bale-height tall tunnel. It can be a great low impact sport for dogs.
Barn Hunt is based on the traditional roles of many breeds in ridding farms, barns, crop storage areas, and homes of destructive vermin. It is open to any dog of any breed or mix who wishes to play the game and can fit through an 18" wide by bale-height tall tunnel. It can be a great low impact sport for dogs.
CANINE FREESTYLE
Canine freestyle is a mixture of obedience training, tricks, and dance that is choreographed to music. It really is taking obedience to a whole new, challenging level. There are several organizations that regulate canine freestyle competitions.
Canine freestyle is a mixture of obedience training, tricks, and dance that is choreographed to music. It really is taking obedience to a whole new, challenging level. There are several organizations that regulate canine freestyle competitions.
DISC DOG
In disc dog competitions, dogs and their humans participate in such formats as toss and fetch, distance catching, and somewhat choreographed freestyle catching. The sport celebrates the bond between handler and dog, by allowing them to work together. This sport can be physically challenging and is not advised for dogs with any musculoskeletal problems or past injuries.
In disc dog competitions, dogs and their humans participate in such formats as toss and fetch, distance catching, and somewhat choreographed freestyle catching. The sport celebrates the bond between handler and dog, by allowing them to work together. This sport can be physically challenging and is not advised for dogs with any musculoskeletal problems or past injuries.
DOCK DIVING
Dock jumping also known as dock diving is a dog sport in which dogs compete in jumping for distance or height from a dock into a body of water.
Dock jumping also known as dock diving is a dog sport in which dogs compete in jumping for distance or height from a dock into a body of water.
EARTH DOG
Earth dog involves man-made underground tunnels that dogs must navigate, while scenting a rat, "the quarry." The dog must follow the scent to the quarry and then "work" the quarry. Depending on the organization, “working” means barking, scratching, staring, pawing, or digging.
Earth dog involves man-made underground tunnels that dogs must navigate, while scenting a rat, "the quarry." The dog must follow the scent to the quarry and then "work" the quarry. Depending on the organization, “working” means barking, scratching, staring, pawing, or digging.
FLYBALL
Flyball is a relay race with 4 dogs on a team. The course consists of a starting line, 4 hurdles spaced 10 feet apart and a box. The first hurdle is 6 feet from the start line and the box is 15 feet from the last hurdle for a 51 foot overall length. The dogs jump the hurdles and steps on a spring loaded box that shoots out a tennis ball. The dog catches the tennis ball and then runs back over the 4 hurdles. When the dog crosses the starting line the next dog goes. The first team to have all 4 dogs run without errors wins.
Flyball is a relay race with 4 dogs on a team. The course consists of a starting line, 4 hurdles spaced 10 feet apart and a box. The first hurdle is 6 feet from the start line and the box is 15 feet from the last hurdle for a 51 foot overall length. The dogs jump the hurdles and steps on a spring loaded box that shoots out a tennis ball. The dog catches the tennis ball and then runs back over the 4 hurdles. When the dog crosses the starting line the next dog goes. The first team to have all 4 dogs run without errors wins.
HERDING
Herding consists of bringing individual animals together into a group, maintaining the group, and moving the group from place to place—or any combination of those. Some animals that herding dogs work are sheep, goats, cattle, ducks, chicken, and geese. Only herding breeds can participate in this sport.
Herding consists of bringing individual animals together into a group, maintaining the group, and moving the group from place to place—or any combination of those. Some animals that herding dogs work are sheep, goats, cattle, ducks, chicken, and geese. Only herding breeds can participate in this sport.
LURE COURSING
Lure coursing is a sport for dogs that involves chasing a mechanically operated lure. Competition is typically limited to dogs of purebred sighthound breeds.
Lure coursing is a sport for dogs that involves chasing a mechanically operated lure. Competition is typically limited to dogs of purebred sighthound breeds.
NOSEWORK
Nosework is a canine sport created to mimic professional detection dog tasks. One dog and one handler form a team. The dogs must find a hidden target odor, often ignoring distractors (such as food or toys), and alert the handler. After the dog finds the odor they are rewarded with food or a toy.
Nosework is a canine sport created to mimic professional detection dog tasks. One dog and one handler form a team. The dogs must find a hidden target odor, often ignoring distractors (such as food or toys), and alert the handler. After the dog finds the odor they are rewarded with food or a toy.
OBEDIENCE
Obedience ranges from very basic training, such as teaching the dog to reliably respond to basic commands such as "sit," "down," "come," and "stay," to high level competition within clubs, where additional commands, accuracy and performance are scored and judged.
Obedience ranges from very basic training, such as teaching the dog to reliably respond to basic commands such as "sit," "down," "come," and "stay," to high level competition within clubs, where additional commands, accuracy and performance are scored and judged.
RALLY
In rally, dog and handler teams navigate a course at a brisk pace, with numbered signs indicating different exercises to perform such as Sit-Down-Sit, Straight Figure Eight, Send Over Jump, Pivot 180° Right, Spiral Right with Dog on the Outside, Side Step Right, and Drop on Recall. It is a fun test of obedience and the trust in the relationship between dog and handler.
In rally, dog and handler teams navigate a course at a brisk pace, with numbered signs indicating different exercises to perform such as Sit-Down-Sit, Straight Figure Eight, Send Over Jump, Pivot 180° Right, Spiral Right with Dog on the Outside, Side Step Right, and Drop on Recall. It is a fun test of obedience and the trust in the relationship between dog and handler.
RETRIEVING
Retrieving breeds were bred primarily to retrieve birds or other prey and return them to the hunter without damage. There are specific duties that a retriever should be able to perform and trials they can participate in.
Retrieving breeds were bred primarily to retrieve birds or other prey and return them to the hunter without damage. There are specific duties that a retriever should be able to perform and trials they can participate in.
SWIMMING
Swimming isn't really a "dog sport," however, there are more and more swimming facilities opening for dogs. This can be a fun form of activity and exercise. Toys can be used for play or fetch in the pool as well.
Swimming isn't really a "dog sport," however, there are more and more swimming facilities opening for dogs. This can be a fun form of activity and exercise. Toys can be used for play or fetch in the pool as well.
TRACKING
Tracking is a sport to encourage dogs to make use of their nose with the ability to follow a scent trail. It emulates the finding of a lost person or article in a situation where the performance of the dog can be fairly assessed.
Tracking is a sport to encourage dogs to make use of their nose with the ability to follow a scent trail. It emulates the finding of a lost person or article in a situation where the performance of the dog can be fairly assessed.
TRIEBBALL
In triebball, a dog must gather and drive large exercise balls into a soccer goal. Eight balls of approximately 45–75 cm are set in a triangle formation, with the point ball farthest from the goal. The object of the game is to get all eight balls into a confined space the size of a soccer goal within a set time period.
In triebball, a dog must gather and drive large exercise balls into a soccer goal. Eight balls of approximately 45–75 cm are set in a triangle formation, with the point ball farthest from the goal. The object of the game is to get all eight balls into a confined space the size of a soccer goal within a set time period.
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