List of dog sports
Encyclopedia
Dog sports are activities that involve dog
s.
There is much discussion about what exactly defines a sport
for dogs. Some issues:
This list is intended only to represent anything that anyone is likely to refer to as a dog sport, not to argue its validity as sport.
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
s.
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
for dogs. Some issues:
- Must a sport be entertaining to watch? AgilityDog agilityDog agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run off-leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles...
, Disc dogDisc dogDisc dog is the more generic name for what is commonly called Frisbee dog. In disc dog competitions, dogs and their human flying disc throwers compete in events such as distance catching and somewhat choreographed freestyle catching. The sport celebrates the bond between handler and dog, by...
, and Dock JumpingDock jumpingDock 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.There are dock jumping events in the United States and other countries such as United Kingdom,...
are very entertaining to spectators, and often televised. - If a human companion is not actively involved, is it actually a sport? Take greyhound racingGreyhound racingGreyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase a lure on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner....
, for example, or huntingHuntingHunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
from a duck blindHunting blindA hunting blind is a cover device for hunters, designed to reduce the chance of detection; ground blinds are an alternative to the traditional Treestand, movements in a well-designed ground blind can virtually be undetectable by the game....
, from which the dog retrieves the game. - Is any activity a sport if a casual observer does not understand the nature of the competition? For example, in a conformation showConformation showConformation shows, also referred to as breed shows, are a kind of dog show in which a judge familiar with a specific dog breed evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs conform to the established breed type for their breed, as described in a breed's individual breed standard.A...
the handler and dog move around a ring for a judge to evaluate the dog's appearance and structure; the skill and knowledge required are not obvious to those uninterested in the sport.
This list is intended only to represent anything that anyone is likely to refer to as a dog sport, not to argue its validity as sport.
- AgilityDog agilityDog agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run off-leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles...
- BikejoringBikejoringBikejoring, is a dog mushing activity related to skijoring, canicross, and dog scootering. It is a recreation or sport where a harnessed dog or team of dogs attached to a towline, pull and run ahead of a cyclist. Bikejoring is a non snow season activity...
- Cani crossCani crossCanicross is the term used to describe the sport of cross country running with dogs. Originated in Europe as off-season training for the mushing community, it has become popular as a stand-alone sport all over Europe, especially in the UK...
- Caniteering
- CartingCartingCarting is a dog sport or activity in which a dog pulls a Dogcart filled with supplies, such as farm goods or firewood, but sometimes pulling people. Carting as a sport is also known as dryland mushing and is practiced all around the world, often to keep winter sled dogs in competition form during...
- Competition obedienceObedience trialAn obedience trial is a dog sport in which a dog must perfectly execute a predefined set of tasks when directed to do so by his handler. According the American Kennel Club obedience regulations...
- Conformation showConformation showConformation shows, also referred to as breed shows, are a kind of dog show in which a judge familiar with a specific dog breed evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs conform to the established breed type for their breed, as described in a breed's individual breed standard.A...
ing - Catchball (A variation on Flyball)
- Disc dogDisc dogDisc dog is the more generic name for what is commonly called Frisbee dog. In disc dog competitions, dogs and their human flying disc throwers compete in events such as distance catching and somewhat choreographed freestyle catching. The sport celebrates the bond between handler and dog, by...
- Dog fightingDog fightingDog fighting is a form of blood sport in which game dogs are made to fight, sometimes to the death. It is illegal in most developed countries. Dog fighting is used for entertainment and may also generate revenue from stud fees, admission fees and gambling....
- Dock JumpingDock jumpingDock 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.There are dock jumping events in the United States and other countries such as United Kingdom,...
- Dog hiking, Pack HikingDog hikingDog hiking refers to a form of hiking in which dogs travel alongside their owners. Several companies manufacture packs in various sizes, so that the dogs may carry their own food and/or bowls...
- Dog scooteringDog scooteringDog scootering is a sport where one or more dogs pull a human riding an unmotorized kick scooter. It is similar to mushing, which is done in the winter, but generally with fewer dogs and with a scooter instead of a dogsled. The dogs wear the same harnesses that sled dogs wear, and are hooked to...
- Earthdog trialEarthdog trialAn earthdog trial tests the working ability and instinct of the small, often short-legged terriers or Dachshunds. These dogs were bred to hunt vermin and other quarry which lived in underground dens...
s - Field trialField trialA field trial is a competitive event at which hunting dogs compete against one another. There are field trials for retrievers, pointing dogs and flushing dogs. Field trials are usually organized by kennel clubs or other gun dog organizations...
s - FlyingFlyingFlying may refer to:* The act or process of flight* Aviation* Flying , a monthly publication* "Flying", a poem by Patti Smith from her book Woolgathering* UFO 2: Flying, a 1971 album by UFO* Flying...
- French Ring SportFrench Ring SportFrench Ring Sport is a dog sport involving jumps, obedience, and bite work. It is most similar to Belgian Ring, Campagne and KNPV, but also sharing common elements with Schutzhund, Service Dogs Of America and Mondio Ring...
- Greyhound racingGreyhound racingGreyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase a lure on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner....
- Hare coursingHare coursingHare coursing is the pursuit of hares with greyhounds and other sighthounds, which chase the hare by sight and not by scent. It is a competitive sport, in which dogs are tested on their ability to run, overtake and turn a hare, rather than a form of hunting aiming at the capture of game. It has a...
- HerdingHerdingHerding is the act of bringing individual animals together into a group , maintaining the group and moving the group from place to place—or any combination of those. While the layperson uses the term "herding", most individuals involved in the process term it mustering, "working stock" or...
or Stock Dog - HuntingHunting dogA hunting dog refers to any dog who assists humans in hunting. There are several types of hunting dogs developed for various tasks. The major categories of hunting dogs include hounds, terriers, dachshunds, cur type dogs, and gun dogs...
- Hound TrailingHound TrailingHound trailing is a traditional Cumbrian dog sport now also practised in other areas of northern England as well as Ireland. Border Hound Trailing Association history page Trail hounds, originally Fox Hounds, follow a cross-country course of approximately ten miles marked by an aniseed and paraffin...
- Junior ShowmanshipJunior ShowmanshipJunior Showmanship , also called Junior Handling, is a sport for young people in which they exhibit their dog handling skills in an event similar to a conformation dog show.- History :...
- Lure coursingLure coursingLure coursing is a sport for dogs that involves chasing a mechanically operated lure. Competition is usually limited to dogs of purebred sighthound breeds.-Lure course:...
- Mushing, Dog mushingMushingMushing is a general term for a sport or transport method powered by dogs, and includes carting, pulka, scootering, sled dog racing, skijoring, freighting, and weight pulling. More specifically, it implies the use of one or more dogs to pull a sled on snow or a rig on dry land...
- Musical canine freestyle; Canine Dressage; Heelwork to MusicMusical Canine FreestyleMusical canine freestyle, also known as musical freestyle, freestyle dance, and canine freestyle, is a modern dog sport that is a mixture of obedience training, tricks, and dance that allows for creative interaction between dogs and their owners...
- Nose work
- Obedience trainingObedience trainingObedience training usually refers to the training of a dog and the term is most commonly used in that context. Obedience training 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...
- Protection sports (including SchutzhundSchutzhundSchutzhund is a dog sport that was developed in Germany in the early 1900s as a breed suitability test for the German Shepherd Dog. The test would determine if the dog displayed the appropriate traits and characteristics of a proper working German Shepherd Dog...
, Service Dogs Of AmericaService Dogs Of AmericaService Dogs Of America is a dog sport that was developed in the United States in 2001 to offer training titles which could meet the needs of professionals concerning various types of service dog training such as protection and search and rescue....
and French Ring SportFrench Ring SportFrench Ring Sport is a dog sport involving jumps, obedience, and bite work. It is most similar to Belgian Ring, Campagne and KNPV, but also sharing common elements with Schutzhund, Service Dogs Of America and Mondio Ring...
) - Rally obedienceRally obedienceRally obedience is a dog sport based on obedience. It was originally devised by Charles L. "Bud" Kramer from the obedience practice of "doodling" - doing a variety of interesting warmup and freestyle exercises....
- Retrieving trials
- ScooteringDog scooteringDog scootering is a sport where one or more dogs pull a human riding an unmotorized kick scooter. It is similar to mushing, which is done in the winter, but generally with fewer dogs and with a scooter instead of a dogsled. The dogs wear the same harnesses that sled dogs wear, and are hooked to...
- Sheepdog trialSheepdog trialA Sheepdog trial is a competitive dog sport in which herding dog breeds move sheep around a field, fences, gates, or enclosures as directed by their handlers. Such events are particularly associated with hill farming areas, where sheep range widely on largely unfenced land...
s (or Herding) - Sighthound Disc Sport
- SighthoundSighthoundSighthounds, also called gazehounds, are hounds that primarily hunt by speed and sight, instead of by scent and endurance as scent hounds do.-Appearance:...
racing (including Greyhound & Whippet racing, coursingCoursingCoursing is the pursuit of game or other animals by dogs—chiefly greyhounds and other sighthounds—catching their prey by speed, running by sight and not by scent. Coursing was a common hunting technique, practised by the nobility, the landed and wealthy, and commoners with sighthounds and lurchers...
, and lure coursingLure coursingLure coursing is a sport for dogs that involves chasing a mechanically operated lure. Competition is usually limited to dogs of purebred sighthound breeds.-Lure course:...
) - SkijoringSkijoringSkijoring is a winter sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, a dog or a motor vehicle. It is derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring meaning ski driving.- Dog skijoring :...
- Sled dog racing
- Dog Surfing
- Terrier Racing
- Tracking trialTracking trialA Tracking trial is an event to encourage dogs to make use of their strongest facility, the ability to follow a scent trail. The competition emulates the finding of a lost person or article in a situation where the performance of the dog can be fairly assessed...
s (see also Tracking (dog)Tracking (dog)Tracking is a technique in which dogs are trained to locate certain objects, such as a downed bird, using the object's scent. Many bird and rabbit hunters train their dogs in tracking. The scent hounds are generally regarded as having the best tracking abilities among all dog breeds.In dog sports,...
) - Treibball
- Water work/Water rescue
- Weight pullingWeight pullingWeight pulling is a dog sport involving a dog pulling a cart or sled loaded with weight a short distance across dirt/gravel, grass, carpet, or snow. It is a modern adaptation of freighting, in which dogs were used as freight animals to move cargo. Many breeds participate in this sport, with dogs...
- Weiner RacingDachshund racingDachshund racing, or wiener dog racing, is a popular, yet controversial sporting event, primarily found in North America. Typical Dachshund races are either 25 or 50 yards in length, and are run on various surfaces...
(i.e. racing Dachshunds)