WHAT! YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF FLYBALL?

Flyball has actually been around since the late 1960's. It is unusual in that it is a team sport – a high-adrenaline canine relay race.

In a nutshell

It starts with two 4-dog teams in side-by-side lanes. At the signal light (which is very much like the light that starts drag races) the first dog on each team crosses the starting line. It runs 51 feet over four jumps to a spring-loaded box. The dog must hit the box with its paws to release a tennis ball, catch it, and return with it over the four jumps. As it crosses the start line, the next dog is on its way.

The team who successfully runs all four dogs in the least amount of time wins the race. It is not uncommon for entire races to be over in less than 20 seconds!

 One of the Hanson's Briards
Lab triggering the ball at the box
Grace returning with the ball
To learn more about Flyball:

  • Visit the North Americal Flyball Association (NAFA)
    Web site www.flyball.org

How are the dogs trained to do this?

Looooots of practice. Here's a video clip The X-Fidos and Portland Tail Blazers demonstrating some training specifics for AM Northwest last summer (double-click on the 'Play' button in the lower left corner):

So how does this translate into tournament action?

To get the flavor of actual tournament competition, here's a light-hearted "music video" of the X-Fidos having fun at the South of the Boo!der Tournament in Washington last Fall (double-click on the 'Play' button in the lower left corner):