Dog sports are competitive activities specifically designed for dogs . Dogs typically participate in sports with the help of owners, although some dog sports do not require human participation. A 2015 survey found that dog owners of all classes participate in dog sports, with owners from large cities (over 500,000 people), medium cities (between 100,000 and 500,000 people), small cities (less than 100,000 people), and rural areas each accounting for roughly the same percentage of dog sport competitors.[ 1]
According to the survey, the most popular dog sports are obedience sports , and the majority of people that compete in dog sports compete in over twelve dog sporting events per year. Additionally, the majority of owners that compete in dog sports are primarily motivated by internal motivators (such as satisfaction or improving their relationships with their dogs) rather than external motivators (such as prizes).[ 1]
Dog herding sports
Sport
Image
Brief description
Refs.
Sheepdog trial
Dogs compete their herding management skills
[ 7] [ 8]
Treibball
Dogs drive large balls into goals
[ 9]
Tracking and hunting sports
edit
Dog water sports
Sport
Image
Brief description
Refs.
Dock jumping
Dogs compete to jump furthest into water
[ 44]
Dog surfing
Dogs surf, either with or without human partners
[ 45] [ 46]
Other dog sports
Sport
Image
Brief description
Refs.
Agility
Dogs are guided through an obstacle course to compete for speed and accuracy
[ 47]
Dog show
Purebred dogs are judged for conformity to breed standards
[ 48]
Dog skateboarding
Dogs ride skateboards
[ 49]
Disc dog
Dogs compete to catch frisbees
[ 50]
Flyball
Teams of dogs race over hurdles to retrieve a ball
[ 51]
Junior showmanship
Young humans exhibit their dog handling skills
[ 52]
Puppy Bowl
Puppies play with toys in a miniature American football stadium
[ 53]
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^ "Herding" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
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^ "They're off: Mushers begin trek to Nome; Seavey seeks record" . Central Oregon Daily . March 7, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "The Best Winter Dog Sport Ever: Skijoring" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ Bennett, Noah (June 1, 2021). "Weight Pulling for Dogs: Rules, Champions and Records. How to Begin" . Pets Life Guide . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ Ellery, David (January 29, 2017). "Werriwa Wiener dash claims world dachsund record" . The Canberra Times . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ Taylor, Caleb. "Investment group aims for return of live greyhound racing at Greenetrack in 2025" . 1819 News . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ " 'It's going to be huge': 25 years for iconic Hunterville Huntaway Festival" . NZ Herald . October 24, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "It's barking mad at the Shepherds' Shemozzle" . NZ Herald . November 5, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Lack of snow cancels longest sled dog race in eastern United States" . AP News . February 26, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Jack Russell Terrier JRTCA Racing at Sanctioned Trials" . therealjackrussell.com .
^ "Jack Russell Terrier Racing" .
^ "Country Sports and Country Life - Beagling" . www.countrysportsandcountrylife.com . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Coon hunting then, now: Grand American born of hunting coons for sport" . The Times and Democrat . January 4, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Coursing" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ a b "Coursing | Sighthounds, Hares & Rabbits | Britannica" . www.britannica.com . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "What's Drag Hunting?" . Mdbassociation.co.uk . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Earthdog" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ Brettingen, Ben (February 12, 2024). "Pointing Dog Field Trials, and How To Understand Them" . Gun Dog . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Foxhunting | History, Rules & Traditions | Britannica" . www.britannica.com . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "BBC NEWS | UK | Fox hunting worldwide" . news.bbc.co.uk . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Hound Trailing Association » About Hound Trailing" . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "What is clean boot hunting? - Protect the Wild" . protectthewild.org.uk . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Lure Coursing" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Nosework Forms and Rules | United Kennel Club (UKC)" . www.ukcdogs.com . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Tracking" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "What is Trail Hunting | BHSA" . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Diving Dogs 101: How to Compete in Dock Diving Step-By-Step" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ Ramos, John (August 3, 2024). "Thousands crowd beach in Pacifica for World Dog Surfing Championships - CBS San Francisco" . www.cbsnews.com . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ Surf's up, paws down at the World Dog Surfing Championship . Retrieved August 6, 2024 – via apnews.com.
^ "Agility: Get Started" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Dog show | Description & History | Britannica" . www.britannica.com . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ Gibbs, Alice (April 20, 2024). "Dog is a skateboarding pro after riding since she was 8-weeks-old" . Newsweek . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Disc Dog" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Eat, Drink, Sleep Flyball" . Modern Dog Magazine . October 29, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Junior Showmanship" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
^ "Puppy Bowl: Where Touchdowns Are Scored On All Fours - CBS News" . www.cbsnews.com . February 4, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2024 .
Sundance, K. (2010). 101 Ways to Do More With Your Dog: Make Your Dog a Superdog with Sports, Games, Exercises, Tricks, Mental Challenges, Crafts, and Bonding. Beverly, MA: Quarry Books.