Going Disc Dogging
Also known as the frisbee, flying discs are a favorite toy for playing with herding breed dogs that have a lean build and strong chasing instincts. Not only fun in the back yard or in some open space at a park, “disc dogging”is also a competitive sport in which dogs and their handlers work together as a team to make successful catches.
Whether playing just for fun or in competition, be sure to use a flying disc designed for a dog. These are made of rubber or canvas, or of a plastic soft enough to be scratched by a fingernail. Hard plastic discs can injure a dog’s mouth and teeth.
To be successful in competition, the handler must be able to properly throw a disc, controlling its distance and direction. The dog, in turn, must be trained to to chase and catch the disc.
Disc dog competitions are usually toss-and-fetch events played on a field marked with lines 10 yards apart. Points are awarded for each successful catch past 20 yards, with extra points awarded for longer distances and airborne catches. There’s a 60-second time limit per round and only one disc per team, so dogs that retrieve quickly have an advantage.
Rules and scoring vary with each disc dog group, club or association sponsoring the event.