What breeds of dogs are best suited for canine disc sports?
Herding breeds do very well at this type of activity, but any dog with the right combination of athleticism, behavior, temperament and prey/play drive can be a potential canine disc all-star.
What physical and age limitations should I observe when training a disc dog?
As a general guideline, dogs exceeding 50 pounds, pups under 18 months and dogs in their senior years are at risk of injury if they are subjected to the more strenuous Freestyle aspects of this sport. The training of young dogs should be accomplished at a modest pace so that they can develop their physical skills. Be careful not to over exert your dog beyond their capabilities. Exercise common sense and keep your dogs safety as your number one priority.
What type of discs are commonly used in this sport?
The disc most commonly used at the majority of disc dog events is the Wham-O Frisbee® Fastback though the Hyperflite K-10 is also gaining popularity. These discs are constructed of a soft plastic material that is safe for your dog's teeth and gums. Some other pet safe discs are the Aerobie Superdisc and the Ruff Dawg K-9 Flyer. It is highly recommended that you stay away from the $0.99 cent hard plastic discs found at the large pet stores because they are not safe for your pets.
The three divisions usually offered are:
Novice, Sport/Rec and Open
The Novice Division is for teams brand new to the sport. If you've never competed before or have been competing for less than a year (365 days), this is the division for you! Novice competitors may use any canine safe disc in competition, including floppies.
The Sport/Rec Division is for experienced teams who have been involved in the sport for more than a year (365 days), but are not ready for the Open Division yet. The Rec/Sport Division is designed to be a non-competitive division, appealing to those who want to "just play". The division is open to anyone, regardless of the experience level of handler or dog. The Sport division recomends using a competition regulated disc. A team may stay at the Sport level if they do not enter any Open Divisions. Also Intermediate/Advanced Level. This may invovle freestyle.
The Open Division is for the most experienced teams and consists of one 90 second (Skyhoundz) or 120 second (UFO) round of Freestyle, and one 60 second round of Mini-Distance. Freestyle consists of a choreographed routine with your dog set to music, utilizing multiple discs and any and every type of throw and trick you can think of. This is where you routinely see vaults off the back, flips, spins, jumps, rolls, weaves, and many other amazing moves. Please see the official rules for each organiztion. New freestylers are always welcome, so if you think you can put on a good show, please don't hesitate to give it a try!
Upon request, competitors will receive a copy of their score sheet following the event.
Always ask at an event which Division you should enter.
