Animal Athletes - Disc Dog

Disc dog is a series of timed events in which a dog runs at high speeds and jumps several feet in the air to catch a Frisbee, competing for high scores in showmanship and accuracy.

THE ALL-STAR
It was 1974, the bottom of the eighth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers were on their way to a big win against their rivals, the Cincinnati Reds. But for Ashley Whippet, the game had just begun. The three-year-old whippet had impressed his owner, 19-year-old college student Alex Stein, with his extraordinary ability to run as fast as 35 miles an hour and jump nine feet in the air to catch a Frisbee. Stein wanted to share his dog’s talent with the nation and planned to use the televised game with about 55,000 viewers as his big break. Just before the home team went up to bat, Stein and Ashley jumped onto the field and stole the show with a game of Frisbee. Ashley’s performance earned a greater standing ovation than a sixth-inning grand slam, and security allowed the duo to perform for several minutes before they ran off the field. The Dodgers won 6 to 3 that night, but Ashley’s success was more than short-lived. Stein later created the Canine Frisbee Disc World Championship (now called the Ashley Whippet Invitational World Championship), and Ashley was the all-star, hitting it out of the park at each competition. He went on to perform at the Rose Bowl and to earn three world championship titles while inspiring hundreds of other Frisbee fanatics, both human and canine.

STATS
Events—Toss and Fetch (also called Throw and Catch and Distance/Accuracy): During this timed event, a handler throws a Frisbee to his dog, who has to catch it as many times as possible to earn points. Some organizations offer bonus points for catching the Frisbee with all four paws off the ground or for landing in a “bull’s-eye zone.” Freestyle: For more advanced players, this event involves a handler throwing as many as seven to nine Frisbees for the dog to catch while he performs acrobatic movements, such as flips and midair twists, to music. Several judges score the dog’s performance by awarding points on a scale of 1 to 10 in the following categories: drive, ingenuity, showmanship, and comprehensive (DISC). Note: Events, rules, and scoring vary based on the organization hosting the competition.

Special veterinary care needed—Your veterinarian may want to take x-rays or do other tests to make sure your dog can perform this activity safely. Underlying issues, such as cardiac, respiratory, or orthopedic problems, may prevent your dog from being able to perform. Make sure your dog can safely walk, run, and jump without injury before attempting this activity; it is not for the couch potato or weekend warrior dog. If your veterinarian suggests that disc dog may not be right for your pet, there are numerous other activities that you and your dog can do together to improve fitness and strengthen your bond.

How to get started—The many disc dog organizations offer open novice levels in the competition, consisting of only the Toss and Fetch event, and many regional and local events are available for new players. Ashley Whippet was introduced to the Frisbee at a young age, as Stein fed him out of an upside-down Frisbee as a puppy. This taught Ashley to be persistent in fetching. “He would bring the Frisbee to me to get fed,” Stein explains.

Benefits of the game—In addition to providing your dog with adequate exercise and mental stimulation, disc dog promotes a strong human–animal bond. “When you do something with your dog every day—whether it’s jogging, agility, or freestyle—you are bonding with him. He learns to trust you,” says Tom Wehrli, a disc dog competitor and Ashley Whippet Hall of Fame member.

Fun fact—Ashley Whippet’s disc dog debut was named “Best Catch of the Year” during the 1974 World Series recap of the year’s greatest baseball plays.