Are you lookingfor a challenge for you and your pup?

Extreme sportsfor dogs maybe it—provided you are both adrenaline junkies.Most dog sports are organized and have structured competitions, but they canalso be just for fun.

What Are ExtremeSports for Dogs?

Extreme sportsare performance-based activities that include competitions that result inpoints, placement, and championships. These activities can be physically andemotionally demanding, so your dog must be in good condition to participate.

Regardless ofwhich dog sport you try, ensuring it’s a good fit for your dog will help themenjoy the training and strengthen your bond with your pup.

Who knows? Yourdog might be a champion!

Which ExtremeDog Sport Is Right For Your Pup?

Understandingyour dog’s individual preferences is key to selecting the right sport.

For example,surfing is probably not a good fit for a dog who hates the water. Your dog’s bodylanguage will tell you if they are uncomfortable with a situation. If yourdog avoids the shoreline when a wave crashes, then churning water likely scaresthem.

If you try a newsport and your dog avoids the situation the next time, they probably didn’tenjoy the experience.

Before jumpinginto a new sport, ask your veterinarian to assess your dog to see if the sportsuits their personality and abilities. Dogs with fearfulpersonalities may not be able to join an extremesport; however, a professional trainer may be able to help them build theconfidence and conditioning needed.

8 Types ofExtreme Dog Sports

1. Dock Diving

In dock diving,dogs compete to jump the farthest from the end of a dock into the water. There aretwo competition categories:

• Distance jump—Dogs     jump in after a toy that is thrown into the water.

• Air retrieve—     Dogs jump to grab a bumper suspended over the water.

If your dog loves toswim and fetch, they should quickly take to dock diving training. Standor sit at the end of a dock, wiggle a toy to get your dog excited, and throw itso your dog jumps after it.

Dock diving isopen to any dog, and the current top breeds include Labrador Retrievers, Whippets, Belgian Malinois, and severalmixed breeds.

2. Dog LureCoursing

Lure coursing allows sighthounds to do whatcomes naturally—hunt by sight—without risking harm. During the competition,hounds chase a white plastic bag that is moved   through an open field witha series of pulleys.

Formally,competition is limited to purebred sighthounds, and each dog must be certifiedto compete. Not much training is required, because the sport appeals to thedogs’ natural hunting skills. For more information on getting started, visitthe American Sighthound Field Association’s website.

3. Dog Agility

A true team dogsport, agility is populararound the world. During competitions, dogs guided by their handlers navigatetheir way through a sequence of obstacles. The dogs are grouped according tojump height, which correlates to their physical height.

Dog clubs andtraining facilities host competitions sponsored by regulating organizations.Most competition runs offer 15 to 20 standard obstacles. The UnitedStates Dog Agility Association events include fun titling andtournament classes.

Any dog canparticipate in agility, but some breeds truly excel. Shetland Sheepdogs, Border Collies, and AustralianShepherds commonly compete, while Golden Retrievers performwell in the larger jump classes.

Training yourdog in agility is a complicated process. If you are considering participatingat a competitive level, seek out an accomplished training professional.

4. Flyball

If you’relooking for extreme speed, flyball delivers.The race is run as a relay, with four dogs each running down a lane, jumping aseries of hurdles, using their paw to free a spring-loaded ball, grabbing theball, banking off a box, and speeding back to the start line.

Flyball is opento any breed or mixed breed, but the minimum age is 15 months. Participantstend to be smart, fast, and ball-obsessed. The sport is demanding, and dogsmust be in prime condition and properly trained. To get started, visit theNorth American Flyball Association.

5. Disc Dog

Disc dogrequires only a disc, a dog, and someone to throw the disc. The sport includes countlessdisc games, and some include agility. Organizations like UpDog and Skyhoundz sponsorcompetitions yearly, with points awarded for accuracy, speed, and creativity.

Any dog canparticipate in disc dog. Online resources are available for training; however,the specialized sport can be demanding, so you may want to hire an accomplishedprofessional as a trainer.

6. Treibball

Also known asurban herding, treibball involves dogs moving large inflatable balls through afield and into a goal. The dog’s handler recalls the dog and points to theballs in the order they should be driven into the goal.

Treibball isopen to all dogs, though herding breeds have an advantage. Because only onedog-handler team is on the course at a time, it’s a great outlet for reactivedogs or dogs who easily become overwhelmed. The sport can also buildconfidence, improve recall, and help with impulse control.

If you want totrain your dog, the book Get the Ball Rolling: A Step by Step Guideto Training for Treibball may help. For more information,visit the website for the National Association of TreibballEnthusiasts.

7. Dog Skijoring

If yourhigh-energy dog loves the snow, this streamlined sport might be perfect.Skijoring requires a person wearing a set of skis, one to three dogs, and apulling harness.

Skijoringcompetitions involve a 5- to 20-kilometer race that is typically sponsored byclubs or groups that also hold sled pulling and mushing contests.

There are nobreed restrictions, but participating dogs should weigh at least 35 pounds.Professional training assistance is the safest and most effective way to getstarted.

8. Dog Surfing

Originating inthe San Francisco Bay area, the World Dog Surfing Championships started aphenomenon that has spread throughout the surfing world. Like human surfingcompetitions, each team has 10 minutes to grab as many waves as they can, andeach ride is scored.

Scores are basedon the ride’s length, whether the dog reaches the shore on their board,technique and riding position, style, the wave’s strength, and the rider’sconfidence.

There are noparticipant restrictions, and dogs compete in size categories. Participants arerequired to wear life jackets or vests. For safety reasons, dogs are nevertethered to the board. For more details and a fun read, check out A Dog’s Guide toSurfing.

Extreme Sports forDogs FAQs

What is the mostdifficult dog sport?

Since each doghas a different skill set, preference, and drive, a sport that is difficult forone dog may come easily to another. Many sports require multiple disciplines.

However, agilitymay be the most involved dog sport.