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By Karen Cornish
Every breed of dog was bred for a job. From hunters to lap-warming companions – dogs are at their happiest when they are fulfilling the roles they were created for. Today, most dogs are kept as pets instead of workers, but they still retain those inbuilt skills and a desire to keep busy.
Dog sports are a great way for family dogs to take part in activities which mimic the situations of work and enable them to harness their natural skills. There’s something for every breed of dog so if you are looking to have some fun with your pet why not try giving one of these canine sports a go?
Agility
What is it all about?
In agility competitions, a dog’s fitness is tested as well as its handler’s ability to direct a dog around an obstacle course as quickly and accurately as possible. Obstacles on an agility course include jumps, tunnels, ramps, hoops, see-saws, and weaving poles. Competitors tackle the course against the clock which makes it fast, exciting, and popular with spectators. Time penalties are given for errors along the way and the winner is the dog that has completed the course the quickest.
Who is it best suited to?
The Border Collie is the undisputed king of the agility ring but any dog breed can take part. There are even mini-jumps for dogs with shorter legs! Energetic dogs such as Jack Russell Terriers, Australian Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, and Shetland Sheepdogs tend to do very well.
Find out more!
thekennelclub.org.uk/events-and-activities/agility
Bikejoring
What is it all about?
Bikejor is a sport where a dog pulls a person on a mountain bike using a stretchy line and harness. A bikejoring arm fitted to the bike stops the dog lead from becoming entangled in the wheels.
Dogs are taught to understand voice commands so the rider can navigate safely through the countryside.
Who is it best suited to?
Breeds that excel at Bikejoring include Siberian Huskies, Labradors, German Shepherds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers and Hungarian Vizslas. Good stamina is essential for this sport and it is not suitable for small breeds.
Find out more!
Canicross
What is it all about?
Canicross is a popular sled dog sport that many people enjoy because it is easy to participate in. It’s essentially cross country running with your dog attached to you via a special waist belt and elasticated line.
Dog and owner run together (usually with the human trying to keep up!) and it’s a great way to bond. There are canicross running clubs all over the country if you want to run with like-minded people and their pets.
Who is it best suited to?
Breeds that excel at canicross include Siberian Huskies, Border Collies, German Shorthaired Pointers, Belgian Shepherd Dogs, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Dalmatians, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Airedale Terriers and Australian Shepherds. Good stamina is essential to be able to cover long distances.
Find out more!
Disc Dog
What is it all about?
Disc Dog or Frisbee Dog is a canine sport where handlers throw flying discs for their dogs to catch. We award points for the distance, speed, and height of jump.
There is a freestyle version of the sport where teams perform a routine in a set time. Judges rate the routine based on difficulty, athleticism, and showmanship. These shows often encompass multiple discs and notable airborne stunts.
Who is it best suited to?
Breeds that excel at Disc Dog include Border Collies, Whippets, Labradors, Golden Retrievers. Australian Shepherd Dogs, Australian Cattle Dogs, German Shorthaired Pointers, Weimaraners. All dogs that love to jump and catch will enjoy taking part in Disc Dogs.
Find out more!
Dock Diving
What is it all about?
Dock diving is a water sport for dogs. They jump from a deck into a big pool. They compete against each other for the longest jump, highest jump, or speediest retrieve.
They first introduced the sport in 1997 and it started as a competitive event in 2000. It’s been one of the fastest growing doggie sports, and events always draw a good number of spectators. It’s thrilling to watch!
Who is it best suited to?
As you would expect, it is the water dogs that excel at this sport. Breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, Newfoundlands and Curly-Coated Retrievers.
Some dogs, like French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, and Dachshunds, are not good swimmers due to their flat faces or short legs.
Find out more!
Flyball
What is it all about?
Flyball is a fast sport where dogs run and jump over hurdles in a relay race. They reach a box that gives them a tennis ball when they press a pad on it. The dog must catch the ball and then sprint back to their handlers with it.
Flyball is a good activity for active dogs to release energy. All breeds can participate because the smallest dog in the team determines the hurdle height.
Who is it best suited to?
Just like in the agility ring, it’s Border Collies who take the crown when it comes to flyball. However, other fast athletic breeds including Whippets, Terriers, Shepherds and Retrievers have all made very good racers. Flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers are not suitable for intense activities like flyball. This is because their breathing is limited during exercise.
Find out more!
Heelwork to music
What is it all about?
Heelwork to music (HTM) and Canine Freestyle are sports that involve a dog and handler performing a routine set to music. The routine can last up to four minutes. HTM is when a dog follows the handler's chosen music and walks or trots in a routine. Freestyle allows the handler to be more creative with the music and doesn't require the dog to stay at heel.
In competitions, judges award marks for content and flow, accuracy and team performance, and musical interpretation. Doggie dancing is a great way to make obedience training more enjoyable and an opportunity to be adventurous and creative. Learning dance routines with your dog is a powerful way to bond and strengthen your relationship.
Who is it best suited to?
Common dancing dog breeds are Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Poodles, and Papillons, but any breed can join. Routines can be choreographed to cater for any skill level – the important thing is to have fun!
Find out more!
thekennelclub.org.uk/events-and-activities/heelwork-to-music
Rally Obedience
What is it all about?
Rally obedience is often described as being an obedience exercise obstacle course. Participants follow a course and find 10-20 signs along the way that will give them obedience exercises to perform. Examples of these include sit, down, turns in different directions and changes in pace.
Rally is a fun alternative to straightforward obedience and it’s easy to get involved whatever your experience level. Your dog can begin on a loose lead with just a few simple signs and build up to more complicated courses performed off lead.
Who is it best suited to?
Active and intelligent breeds do very well at Rally Obedience (although any breed can take part). These include Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Belgian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs and Poodles.
Find out more!
thekennelclub.org.uk/events-and-activities/rally
Sheepdog Trials
What is it all about?
They introduced sheepdog trials to competitively test the everyday skills of working sheepdogs. The aim being to identify which breed lines were producing the most able dogs and to compare their abilities. Sheepdog trials are a fun way for herding pets to exercise and have fun.
During a sheepdog trial, a dog is instructed by its handler to guide a group of sheep through obstacles. These obstacles often consist of gates set up in a field. You lose points for errors made along the way.
You can teach your dog basic commands like 'come-by', 'away', 'stand', and 'that'll do' without using sheep. This is part of obedience training. If you join a sheepdog training club you might find that you start out herding ducks or geese first!
Who is it best suited to?
No surprises that the dogs that excel here are the shepherds. Border Collies, Bearded Collies, Kelpies, Old English Sheepdogs, Shetland Sheepdogs, Rough Collies, Welsh Corgis and Australian Shepherds are all natural herders.
Find out more!
Sled Dog Racing
What is it all about?
Sled dog racing is a popular sport in snowy areas like the Arctic regions of the USA, Canada, Russia, and Greenland. Dogs pull a driver on a sled over snow or ice. UK lacks snow but has top sled dog teams.
Dryland sled dog racing is one of the five main sled dog sports. Originally, it started as a way to train sled dogs throughout the year once the snow had melted. However, it has now become a widely popular sport in the UK.
Instead of a sled, it uses a dryland rig which is a cart with three or four wheels. The driver either sits or stands, depending on the cart’s construction.
Who is it best suited to?
They bred strong, hardy breeds to pull sleds in harsh conditions. Traditionally, these included Siberian Huskies, Samoyeds, Canadian Eskimo Dogs and Alaskan Malamutes.
Find out more!
Tracking
What is it all about?
This sport harnesses the immense power of the canine nose to recognise and follow a particular scent. Dogs must follow a smell to find things like gloves or wallets.
Tracking uses a dog's scent-following ability, but training is necessary for a dog and handler to work well together. Handlers need to comprehend how scent functions in order to interpret their dog's response to a trail. Through this understanding, they can determine if the dog is focused on tracking or if other elements are diverting it.
Find a training club that offers a beginner’s course in dog tracking to get you started.
Who is it best suited to?
It’s all about nose power when it comes to tracking. The best breeds for this sport are Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Belgian Shepherds, German Shepherds, and Labradors. All dogs have a natural ability to follow a scent so any breed is capable of learning how to track.
Find out more!
If you enjoyed this article, why not read:
Top 10 most adventurous dog breeds
Top Dog Breeds of 2023: Unveiling the Canine Stars of the Year!
Fetch, Fun, and Furry Friends: Exploring Why Dogs Love Balls