The Purina Incredible Dog Challenge

It’s estimated that over a million dogs
in the US alone play with flying discs
with their owners. Why not take it to
the next level? The athletic feats performed
by champion disc dogs are nothing short
of gasp-inducing, but any Fido can be a
disc dog. Border Collies tend to dominate
the sport but even little dogs can excel. In
fact, with the right amount of training and
patience, even the most stubborn, destructive,
hyperactive dog can learn to channel
those impulses into becoming a high-flying
champion. Not only is this sport accessible
to all dog breeds, it is helpful for overcoming
many of the behaviours that cause
owner-surrenders at shelters, like prey
drive and hyperactivity. In fact, dogs with
prey drive and herding instinct are generally
the best at disc dogging! You may just
find that it’s your throw that requires the
most effort. Lucky for you, your dog will
likely chase down and return those errant
tosses with joy.

Disc dog competitions are generally
divided into two categories: Toss and
Fetch, and Freestyle. In Toss and Fetch,
the handler and dog have sixty seconds to
throw the disc as many times as they can
on the playing field with the dog fetching
the disc. The distance the disc travels is
measured and points are awarded—an
extra half-point may be awarded for completely
airborne catches.

For Freestyle, short routines are choreographed
and set to music. Multiple discs
are used, and the most athletic dogs are
able to do flips (for professionals only!),
jumps, vaults, and catch a quick succession
of throws. Dogs are judged on
canine athleticism, degree of difficulty, and
showmanship. This part of competition
is a crowd favourite and shows the highest
level of competitive accomplishment.
The pinnacle of the sport is to take one
of the championships, such as the Purina
Incredible Dog Challenge (from which the
accompanying photos were taken), the
Canine Frisbee Disc World Championship,
or Skyhoundz World Canine Disc
Championship. If you’re interested in
teaching your dog the tricks of the trade,
check out the Disc Dog Training DVD,
available through skyhoundz.com.

How low can you go? Chris Sexton and Border Collie Laika get down to take first place in the 2004 Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Eastern Regionals in Orlando, Florida.

Kirby McIlveen and Border Collie Picture Perfect Sketch show off some impressive vertical at the 2009 Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Western Regionals in San Diego, California.

Go big or go home. Todd Murnan and the aptly named Big Air Bella, a Belgian Malinois, show off highleaping skills at the 2009 Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Finals in Gray Summit, Missouri.

Serious air. George, a five-year-old Rat Terrier from San Diego, and owner Al Erikson take first place at the 2009 Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Finals in Gray Summit, Missouri.

Paul West’s Australian Shepherd Tucker performs an aerial flip to take third Place in the 2008 Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Western Regionals held in Austin, Texas.

Roo Yori and Pitbull Wallace snatch second place in the 2009 Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Central Regionals held in Wichita, Kansas.

Even smaller dogs can excel at disc doggin’. Gary Duke and Bayer show their stuff in the 2009 Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Finals in Gray Summit, Missouri.