What is a flyball for dogs?

Posted On April 9, 2021

Flyball. It sounds like one of those Vortex Whistle Bombs we all used to toss around on hot summer days, whistling through the air… right before your faithful doggo got his or her jaws around it, making it their new chew toy for the day, or maybe the next few minutes. 

In reality, flyball is a fast-paced team sport for dogs, packed with hurdles and challenges to test their talent, training, and endurance. Truly, flyball is fun for everyone – the dogs, their handlers, and the spectators alike. It’s incredible seeing our canine friends flex their skills!

But what is flyball for dogs, really? What’s involved, and how do you need to train your dog for a flyball event?

In this article, we take a deep dive into the art of flyball – from the history of flyball to the field, the training, the equipment you need, and so much more.

The basics of flyball

Flyball is a relay race between two teams of four dogs. It seems to come in fours – because our doggos need to tackle four hurdles, retrieve a ball by triggering the flyball box pedal, then jump back over the hurdles to the finish line. 

Four legs. Four dogs. Four hurdles. Makes sense to me.

The team sport is inspired by all the things doggos love to do: run, jump, fetch, and please their owners. Plus, all breeds can take part in the sport – from the smallest puppers to the tallest doggos in the world! Even obedience levels don’t matter, but of course, their skill level comes into their division. 

The fastest dogs are put into Division 1 and the slower puppers are put into lower divisions so they can compete – fairly – with dogs of similar skill level. 
It’s also important to note Flyball Australia recommends dogs be a minimum of 12 months old to compete in flyball. Even then, you should ask your vet for advice about your young dog jumping hurdles to prevent any nasty injuries.

The history of flyball for dogs

Flyball for dogs actually started decades ago! In the 1970s, Californian dog trainers combined scent-related hurdle racing with retrieving, making the whole sport more fun for the doggos involved.

A man named Herbert Wagner invented the box to launch tennis balls for his dog, which later became the flyball box.

The first flyball competition for dogs was held in the USA in 1981 – and damn, did it catch on. Now, there are more than 16,000 flyball dogs registered in Australia, the USA, Canada, South Africa, Europe, and the UK.

Clearly, it’s a sport for all walks of life.

What equipment is involved in flyball?

Keen to start training your pupper for flyball? You’ll need some special equipment to get them used to the sport. There’s some basic gear you’ll need to train your furry friend, including:
Hurdles & Jumps

Hurdles are a set size and need to be in the sport’s standard white colour. They’re pretty simple to make, but it’s important to follow the sport’s standards so your doggo isn’t surprised on the big day.

Here’s a video to help guide your DIY process:

The side boards can be painted based on sponsorship or flyball club colours. This will help spectators know who’s competing and they can cheer your team on!

• Tennis Balls
  
  All of our furry friends are different – that’s why it’s essential to choose a ball your doggo can handle! A tennis ball – or really, any soft ball that bounces – can be used. Some handlers used squash balls for their littler dogs, because a tennis ball is too big.
  
  If you have a small dog, a squash ball, cat ball, or an especially small tennis ball from a pet store can also be used.
  

Boxes

In flyball, every dog needs a little extra “oomph” to catch that ball. Boxes and thrusters will help your doggo reach those especially high

• balls!
  
  So long as your boxes meet AFA (Australian Flyball Association) rules of measurement and mechanical engineering, you can design your boxes however you like. Rainbow, monochrome, or paw print – it’s up to you.

The important thing to note is that boxes can have one, two, or three holes for the ball. Why? Dogs tend to turn better if the ball is off-centre – some dogs prefer to turn left, while others turn to the right. 

Three holes ensure your doggo can choose where to place the ball – it’s simple and more comfortable for your precious pupper!

Timing & Starting Lights

The magic of flyball for dogs comes from the lights and electronic timing designed to guide your talented little friend. Of course, you’re not expected to have this technology at your disposal – but it certainly helps.

The AFA has six sets of electronic start lights and timing equipment which is used on the east coast of Australia. Plus, there are three Older EJS light systems which are used for demos in the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, and New South Wales.

Electronic timing can eliminate inaccuracies on the field as well as hand held stopwatches. However, it’s not mandatory to have starting lights and electronic timing to train your dog.

If you’re serious about competing, however, I’d recommend getting some electronic timing to get an Australian record recognised by the AFA.