10 Best sports to do with your dog

Dogs love sports, maybe even more than we do, and they are quite the athletes too. It may take a little time to find the sport that is right for your Fido, but once you do you won’t regret the search. The best sports to do with your dog are fun and productive. Not only are they a great bonding experience for the two of you, they’ll keep you healthy too!

The sport that your dog is best suited for will have a lot to do with his size and energy level. You shouldn’t choose a sport because you like it. For example, you may think dock diving is really cool, but if your pup isn’t a good swimmer that’s going not going to be a very good choice.

Dogs need to be mentally and physically challenged in order to stay happy and fit. By getting involved in sports your dog will absolutely thrive. Dog sports will bring out your dog’s natural instincts, which are essential to his happiness.

10 Best Sports to Do with Your Dog

1. Flyball

Does your dog love running and chasing balls? If so flyball could be the ideal sport for your best friend. Basically flyball is a relay race for dogs. The dogs are separated into teams of four and they have to jump over many hurdles in order to get a tennis ball, which is released from a box.

Your dog will have to step on a pad in order to retrieve the tennis ball. Then once he has the tennis ball he runs back to the starting gate and the next dog takes their turn.

Flyball is suitable for all dogs, making it one of the best sports to do with your dog. It is most popular amongst breeds like Whippets, Border Collies and Jack Russells.

2. Sheepdog Trials

If you’re the proud owner of a sheepdog, then this sport is spot on. What your dog has to do is to try and herd a small flock of sheep around an obstacle course and then over bridges to try and get the flock of sheep successfully back into the pen.

There are more advanced trials that your dog can take part in too which will involve him having to separate the sheep into smaller groups. This is what’s known as “shedding.”

If you own a border collie or another herding breed, then this is one of the best sports to do with your dog. He is going to absolutely love it! Your dog will get lots of exercise and will be mentally and physically challenged.

3. Agility

This is one of the most challenging sports for your dog. Your dog will be required to run through a very complicated obstacle course and as he runs he is judged.

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The accuracy of the run is carefully watched, and your dog will also be timed. You can only guide your dog through the obstacle course by your voice and with the use of hand signals.

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The obstacles that your Fido will be facing include tunnels, weave poles, teeter totters, hurdles and pyramids. This is a very fast sport and is suitable for all dogs. It really will challenge your dog’s body and mind. With agility you and your dog will become healthier – your dog will be running through all the obstacles and you will be running alongside him trying to guide.

4. Dock Diving

Dock diving is an aquatic sport that began in 1997, and it involves your dog competing against other dogs. He will be on an elevated platform and will then have to jump into a pool of water. The dog that jumps the farthest is the winner.

This is a very popular sport for dogs now and is frequently on television too. It is one of the best sports to do with your dog, as all dogs can take part. However, we will mostly see Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers over other breeds. It’s a great dog sport, and if your dog loves water it’s definitely a winner.

5. Terrier Trials

This is a very fast sport, it’s a case of blink and you’ll miss it – it really goes that quickly. Basically this sport is a steeplechase for terriers. The gist of it is that all the dogs will chase a piece of fur around the obstacle course, and the one who gets to the finish first is the winner.

This sport is ideal for Jack Russells, and if you have a fast little terrier at home then this sport will be perfect.

Your dog will be kept fit and will be mentally challenged too. Keep in mind that this is only one of the best sports to do with your dog if you happen to have one of the many breeds of terriers.

6. Lure Coursing

In lure coursing your dog will be chasing a mechanical lure, and the distance can be anywhere up to 1,000 yards. The lure has been designed so that it simulates a live prey, for instance, a hare. There will be one or two groups, and usually they are separated by breed.

The groups are then judged on their speed, focus on the prey, how enthusiastic they are and also agility. If you have a hound breed, then this sport will make an excellent choice. Dogs that will love this sport include greyhounds, Afgan Hounds, Whippets, Borzoi and also the Scottish deerhound.

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