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Many dogs like water and like to jump, so why not put them together in a friendly competition?
There’s a canine sport that does just that. The 2022 AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup was aired on the ESPN2 network this week. The American Kennel Club and North American Diving Dogs conducted the event last month in Florida.
But don’t expect to see your average dog leaping off the dock at the family lake home. These canines get some serious air and distance!
In the Distance Jumping event, a 4-year-old Border Collie from Texas named “James” jumped 26 feet 9 inches.
Distance Jumping was conducted from a dock. The dogs competed for the farthest jump. The distance recorded is from the end of the dock to the base of the dog’s tail when it breaks the surface of the water.
In the Air Retrieve event, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois from Florida named “Mako” won with a distance of 21 feet.
In Air Retrieve, the dogs try to knock a bumper of an apparatus, which hangs at the middle of the dock’s width at the farthest distance. Then the rig moves out in one-foot increments. Each dog gets two attempts at knocking down the bumper at each distance.
All types of dogs, including mixed breeds, can compete in the events. You can learn more about Diving Dogs competitions at the NADD and AKC websites.
Who knows? That puppy you got your kid for his or her birthday might become the next Diving Dog Champion.
Be warned, however, the current NADD World Record holder for distance diving is a Whippet named “Sounder” at 36 feet 11 inches. (Sounder also holds the record for Air Retrieve.)
So if you want your pooch to win gold, you better start training soon!
Until next time,
Hugs and Pug Kisses,
Candy
Sources and Links:
Diving Dogs 101: How to Compete in Dock Diving Step-By-Step – American Kennel Club (akc.org)
NADD | Home (northamericadivingdogs.com)
ESPN: Serving sports fans. Anytime. Anywhere.
Mon, 5/16 – AKC Diving Dogs Premier Cup | Watch ESPN
Photo from akc.org
