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Early on a rather gloomy looking Saturday a caravan of vehicles started to
unload in downtown Atlanta Georgia. Not your usual delivery for the weekend,
as dogs, kennels, and assorted bags and road weary folks made their way into
Piedmont Park to participate in the Southern Disc Dog Nationals.
This would be my oldest dog, Dublin's second freestyle Frisbee dog event.
He's a stock bred border collie with an instinctive desire to herd sheep or
cattle as he had in the Ozarks where he was born.
On moving to Jacksonville Beach, there was a distinct absence of sheep and
we turned to tennis balls and Frisbees for fun and a way to burn off all
that Border Collie intensity to work. He loves balls, but rounding up flying
Frisbee's is almost as good as sheep in his opinion. Now he had to prove it.
As typical, he treated it like any other day in the park, but I was very
aware of the swelling crowds around the event and in the competitor area as the morning became lighter
from the sun that was up there somewhere behind the thick clouds.
For several hours, dog lovers from around the US, from California to Maine
would congregate, to laugh, cheer and support one another for a day of high
flying canine showmanship and good times.
This day, the city of Atlanta was going to go to the dogs and enjoy every
second of it!
Frisbee Dogs, or more appropriately Disc Dogs have become a Summer time
icon, on TV, in advertising, and are more frequently seen in fields, parks
and beaches everywhere.
You don't have to be a former Cirque Du Soliel performer or Frisbee
contortionist to participate in this dynamic canine sport. Additionally,
there are no required breed standards or sanctions on either the handler, OR
the canine. Simply put, anyone with a dog can play!
The greatest impact on promoting the growth has been the local clubs and
increasing awareness of the media of the sports great potential. How many
activities can keep everyone from Grandpa to the newest "Jr." riveted and
not support violence, has stars that may really live right next door,
intense competition and probably the friendliest competitive community
anywhere?
The sport is broken into two major divisions. The Toss and Catch and
Freestyle. This day, Dublin and I would be doing both in a combined event.
There are several variations on the timing, distance, rules and even
inclusion of accuracy elements in some events, but it is still a matter of
throwing a disc and your dog successfully catching it. That simple, and the reason why
the competitors range from every age, background and profession. As wide a
variety is found in the dogs themselves. From Airedales to Whippets!
Freestyle is a timed and choreographed challenge of yourself and your canine
friend's ability to meld your movement, disc throwing, and discipline to set
music, much like an Ice Skater, but with some contact involved!
One word of caution I must include. Your dogs' welfare must always be first.
Very young (under 14 months) and dogs over 10 should not attempt many of the
Freestyle stunts. Any dog with health issues or females in heat, likewise
should not be involved in such activity.
Dublin placed second in the Open this day I was one very happy dad.
Thousands of people braved the rain to glimpse these athletes in action.
Just six months ago, I thought throwing a disc to him on the beach was fun.
These days he's chasing "sheep" up to 8 feet in the air and loving every
minute of it!
Eight hours later he was curled up with his two half sisters in front of the TV
again, just being an every day dog. After all, that's what he is.
If you are interested in more information on this amazing sport, look for a
local club in your area. Additionally, there are some outstanding resources
on the web like k9frisbee.com which include Frequently Asked Questions and
lessons. For high drive and active dogs needing a job before they destroy
your home, this sport is just the employment they need!
Photo of Dublin flying high by Chuck Guthrie
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