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Greta triggering the tennis ball
RUFF: the first official flyball club of Colorado
The fastest four-legged relay racers in Colorado competed at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds for the “No Frills” Flyball Tournament on November 15th and 16th.
In Flyball, teams of four dogs race in lanes 12 to 17 feet apart over four hurdles set 10 feet apart on a 51 foot track to leap at a spring-loaded box. The dog’s impact triggers the release of a tennis ball. He snatches the ball and rushes back to the start. His nose crosses the finish line and his teammate immediately charges out over the jumps to retrieve another ball. Handlers hold the dogs until a green light is activated by the returning dog crossing the finish line. The team with the fastest successful run wins.
The key is “successful” run. Dogs can’t lose the ball, they can’t grab it without it first being triggered, and they can’t miss any of the hurdles or take them out of order. If any of the dogs on the team commits one of these technicalities, the team has to re-run. Times for each team are totaled, so it’s best not to have any re-runs.
Briscoe taking a hurdleThe North American Flyball Association (NAFA) has three flyball classes: Vets, (age seven and up and not on any other team) Regular (dogs registered with NAFA, and all teammates are in the same club, such as RUFF) and Open (dogs registered with NAFA, but teammates can be from any club). NAFA has also established four divisions, so dogs compete with others of similar speed or size.
What kind of dog can play flyball? The sport is not limited to any age, size or breed. It’s enjoyed by a lot of mixed breeds. The important thing is that dogs focus on the game and not interfere with the other team.
Who won? The first place team in the regular division was Devil’s Fury of the Denver Speed Demons Flyball Club.
Devil's Fury: Rush, Talon, Kona and Trinity
For more info: Colorado Flyball
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