Dog sports are competitive activities specifically designed for dogs. Dogs typically participate in sports with the help of owners, although some dog sports do not require human participation. A 2015 survey found that dog owners of all classes participate in dog sports, with owners from large cities (over 500,000 people), medium cities (between 100,000 and 500,000 people), small cities (less than 100,000 people), and rural areas each accounting for roughly the same percentage of dog sport competitors.[1]

According to the survey, the most popular dog sports are obedience sports, and the majority of people that compete in dog sports compete in over twelve dog sporting events per year. Additionally, the majority of owners that compete in dog sports are primarily motivated by internal motivators (such as satisfaction or improving their relationships with their dogs) rather than external motivators (such as prizes).[1]

Combat sports

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Dog combat sports
Sport Image Brief description Refs.
Baiting
 
Dogs fight or torment other animals [2]
Dog fighting
 
Dogs fight other dogs [3]
Venatio
 
Gladiators fought various animals, including dogs [4][5]
Hog-dog rodeo Dogs chase and capture hogs [6]

Herding sports

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Dog herding sports
Sport Image Brief description Refs.
Sheepdog trial
 
Dogs compete their herding management skills [7][8]
Treibball
 
Dogs drive large balls into goals [9]

Obedience sports

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Dog obedience sports
Sport Image Brief description Refs.
Heelwork to music
 
Dogs and humans perform trained routines to music [10]
Musical canine freestyle
 
Dogs and humans perform freestyle dance to music [11]
Obedience trial
 
Dogs execute predefined tasks [12]
Rally obedience
 
Dogs execute tasks without commands from judges and while receiving encouragement [13]
Schutzhund
 
Dogs compete in tracking, obedience, and protection skills [14]

Pulling sports

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Dog pulling sports
Sport Image Brief description Refs.
Bikejoring
 
Dogs pull humans on bicycles [15]
Canicross
 
Cross-country running with dogs attached to a human [16]
Carting
 
Dogs pull items or people in a cart [17]
Dog scootering
 
Dogs pull humans on unmotorized scooters [18]
Mushing
 
Dogs pull a sled, usually through snow [19]
Skijoring
 
Dogs pull humans on skis [20]
Weight pulling
 
Dogs pull heavy objects or weights [21]

Racing sports

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Dog racing sports
Sport Image Brief description Refs.
Dachshund racing
 
Dachshund dogs race [22]
Greyhound racing
 
Greyhound dogs race [23]
Shepherd's Shemozzle Humans race through an obstacle course alongside dogs [24][25]
Sled dog racing
 
Dogs race while pulling a sled [26]
Terrier racing
 
Terrier dogs race [27][28]

Tracking and hunting sports

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Dog tracking and hunting sports
Sport Image Brief description Refs.
Beagling
 
Scent hounds such as beagles track and hunt rabbits or hares by scent [29]
Coon hunting
 
Dogs track and hunt raccoons [30]
Coursing
 
Sighthounds hunt prey by sight and speed [31][32]
Drag hunting
 
Humans on horseback follow a scent using dogs [33]
Earthdog trial
 
Short-legged dogs navigate tunnels while hunting a rat or mouse [34]
Field trial
 
Dogs compete in field hunting events [35]
Fox hunting
 
Dogs track and hunt foxes by scent [36][37]
Hare coursing
 
Dogs hunt rabbits or hares by sight [32]
Hound trailing
 
Hounds race along a scent trail [38]
Hunting the clean boot Hounds track a natural human scent [39]
Lure coursing
 
Dogs chase a mechanically-operated lure [40]
Nosework
 
Dogs search for _target odors while ignoring distractions [41]
Tracking trial
 
Dogs track a _target by scent [42]
Trail hunting
 
A pack of hounds tracks an artificially-laid trail of animal urine [43]

Water sports

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Dog water sports
Sport Image Brief description Refs.
Dock jumping
 
Dogs compete to jump furthest into water [44]
Dog surfing
 
Dogs surf, either with or without human partners [45][46]

Other sports

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Other dog sports
Sport Image Brief description Refs.
Agility
 
Dogs are guided through an obstacle course to compete for speed and accuracy [47]
Dog show
 
Purebred dogs are judged for conformity to breed standards [48]
Dog skateboarding
 
Dogs ride skateboards [49]
Disc dog
 
Dogs compete to catch frisbees [50]
Flyball
 
Teams of dogs race over hurdles to retrieve a ball [51]
Junior showmanship
 
Young humans exhibit their dog handling skills [52]
Puppy Bowl
 
Puppies play with toys in a miniature American football stadium [53]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Coren, Stanley (March 26, 2015). "Who Participates in Dog-sporting Events and Why?". Psychology Today. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  2. ^ "Bearbaiting | History, Spectacle & Outlaw | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "Dog Fighting | Animal Legal & Historical Center". www.animallaw.info. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  4. ^ "Sausage dogs might have been used in gladiator fights, suggests new discovery | indy100". www.indy100.com. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  5. ^ "Venationes – Animal Hunts at the Colosseum". Colosseum. October 26, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "Proposed hog-dog rodeo ban advances". The Greenwood Commonwealth. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  7. ^ Carson, Andy (May 3, 2024). "Andy's Adventures: Northwest Championship Sheepdog Trials". kptv.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  8. ^ "Herding". American Kennel Club. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  9. ^ "Treibball: Dog Sport Perfect for Herding Breeds and More". American Kennel Club. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  10. ^ "Dancing With Dogs / Heelwork to Music". April 18, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "Dancing dogs star in new show inspired by niche sport 'canine freestyle'". ABC News. May 11, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  12. ^ "Dog Obedience Trials Began Because of Poodles and a Farmer | Psychology Today". www.psychologytoday.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  13. ^ "Getting Started in Rally". American Kennel Club. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  14. ^ DeFabo, Mike (October 17, 2013). "Schutzhund: A sport for working dogs". Times West Virginian. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  15. ^ "What Is Bikejoring? The Ultimate Guide To Dog Bikejoring". Neewa USA - Sport & Utility Dog Gear. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  16. ^ "What is canicross?". Non-stop dogwear. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  17. ^ "Dog carting group keen to pull in new fans". NZ Herald. August 6, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  18. ^ "Sled Dog Central: An Introduction to Dog Scootering". www.sleddogcentral.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  19. ^ "They're off: Mushers begin trek to Nome; Seavey seeks record". Central Oregon Daily. March 7, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  20. ^ "The Best Winter Dog Sport Ever: Skijoring". American Kennel Club. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  21. ^ Bennett, Noah (June 1, 2021). "Weight Pulling for Dogs: Rules, Champions and Records. How to Begin". Pets Life Guide. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  22. ^ Ellery, David (January 29, 2017). "Werriwa Wiener dash claims world dachsund record". The Canberra Times. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  23. ^ Taylor, Caleb. "Investment group aims for return of live greyhound racing at Greenetrack in 2025". 1819 News. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  24. ^ "'It's going to be huge': 25 years for iconic Hunterville Huntaway Festival". NZ Herald. October 24, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  25. ^ "It's barking mad at the Shepherds' Shemozzle". NZ Herald. November 5, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  26. ^ "Lack of snow cancels longest sled dog race in eastern United States". AP News. February 26, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  27. ^ "Jack Russell Terrier JRTCA Racing at Sanctioned Trials". therealjackrussell.com.
  28. ^ "Jack Russell Terrier Racing".
  29. ^ "Country Sports and Country Life - Beagling". www.countrysportsandcountrylife.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  30. ^ "Coon hunting then, now: Grand American born of hunting coons for sport". The Times and Democrat. January 4, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  31. ^ "Coursing". American Kennel Club. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  32. ^ a b "Coursing | Sighthounds, Hares & Rabbits | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  33. ^ "What's Drag Hunting?". Mdbassociation.co.uk. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  34. ^ "Earthdog". American Kennel Club. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  35. ^ Brettingen, Ben (February 12, 2024). "Pointing Dog Field Trials, and How To Understand Them". Gun Dog. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  36. ^ "Foxhunting | History, Rules & Traditions | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  37. ^ "BBC NEWS | UK | Fox hunting worldwide". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  38. ^ "Hound Trailing Association » About Hound Trailing". Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  39. ^ "What is clean boot hunting? - Protect the Wild". protectthewild.org.uk. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  40. ^ "Lure Coursing". American Kennel Club. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  41. ^ "Nosework Forms and Rules | United Kennel Club (UKC)". www.ukcdogs.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  42. ^ "Tracking". American Kennel Club. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  43. ^ "What is Trail Hunting | BHSA". Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  44. ^ "Diving Dogs 101: How to Compete in Dock Diving Step-By-Step". American Kennel Club. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  45. ^ Ramos, John (August 3, 2024). "Thousands crowd beach in Pacifica for World Dog Surfing Championships - CBS San Francisco". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  46. ^ Surf's up, paws down at the World Dog Surfing Championship. Retrieved August 6, 2024 – via apnews.com.
  47. ^ "Agility: Get Started". American Kennel Club. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  48. ^ "Dog show | Description & History | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  49. ^ Gibbs, Alice (April 20, 2024). "Dog is a skateboarding pro after riding since she was 8-weeks-old". Newsweek. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  50. ^ "Disc Dog". American Kennel Club. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  51. ^ "Eat, Drink, Sleep Flyball". Modern Dog Magazine. October 29, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  52. ^ "Junior Showmanship". American Kennel Club. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  53. ^ "Puppy Bowl: Where Touchdowns Are Scored On All Fours - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. February 4, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2024.

Further reading

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  • Sundance, K. (2010). 101 Ways to Do More With Your Dog: Make Your Dog a Superdog with Sports, Games, Exercises, Tricks, Mental Challenges, Crafts, and Bonding. Beverly, MA: Quarry Books.
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