| H.O.T. Dog Club Flyball | ||
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 Rhobo, a Welsh Terrier |
Flyball is a fast-paced, team sport of four dogs and handlers. The race begins as the first dog crosses the start line, clears four hurdles spaced 10 feet apart, and steps on a spring-loaded box triggering the release of a tennis ball. The dog must retrieve the ball and run back over the four hurdles. Once the dog crosses the start line, the next dog is sent to run its pattern. The team that completes its four patterns in the shortest amount of time is declared the winner by the judge. | |
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| Races are usually organized in either
a double elimination or round robin format. Double eliminations are usually best of 3 or
best of 5 races. Round robins are usually best 3 out of 5. The first team to win 3 heats
receives points towards their standing in the tournament. Hurdles range from 8" to 16" high. The height of the hurdles that a team must jump is determined by the shoulder height of the shortest dog on the team. |
 Kirby, a Weimaraner |
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In order for a team to be competitive they must be able to consistently complete clean runs, i.e.: fast times over the hurdles, perfect retrievals of the tennis balls from the box and close passes at the start line. It takes teamwork, a lot of practice and dedication for dogs and handlers to gel into a flyball team. |
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| At a flyball tournament, teams are competing against the others in their division for team placements. Dogs also earn individual flyball titles through the accumulation of points awarded based on the team's time: If a team runs a race in less than 32 seconds, each dog receives 1 point; less than 28 seconds, each dog receives 5 points; less than 24 seconds, each dog receives 25 points. The titles the dogs can earn through the North American Flyball Association (NAFA) are: |
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| Flyball Dog (FD) -- 20
points Flyball Dog Excellent (FDX) - 100 points Flyball Dog Champion (FDCh) - 500 points Flyball Master (FM) - 5000 points Flyball Master Excellent (FMX) - 10,000 points Flyball Master Champion (FMCh) - 15,000 points ONYX Award (ONYX) - 20,000 points Flyball Grand Champion (FGDCh) - 30,000 |
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| For more information about flyball try this site: | ||
 North American Flyball Association |
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Return to list of HOT Dog Club Activities |
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