Paddy from the Berwick Flyball Racing Team shows how it is done in the lead up to this weekend’s competition at the Dandenong Show.THE highlight of Saturday’s Dandenong Show will be the canine equivalent of drag racing.
At least that is how Flyball is described by one of the sport’s active trainers, Berwick Obedience Dog Club member Erin Chalmers.
For the past four years the Dandenong Show has been host to a Flyball competition.
“The best way to describe the sport is to say that it is like drag racing for dogs. The course has two lanes that include four jumps leading to a springloaded box containing a tennis ball,” Ms Chalmers said.
The aptly named Berwick Flyball Racing Team will be present at the show, Ms Chalmers said.
“Each race has four dogs but a team may have up to six dogs rotated during the day,” she said.
“It is just like a drag strip with a set of Christmas tree lights at the start line.
“The judge starts the lights and they count down, three yellow lights and then the green light.
“The first dog is released well back from the start line and has to cross the start line after the green light otherwise the dogs are restarted.
“The dog jumps over all four jumps retrieves the tennis ball and returns over the jumps to their handler.
“While the first dog is returning the second dog is released so as to cross the startfinish line just as the first dog exits.”
Ms Chalmers said it was a noisy event, but thoroughly enjoyed by both spectators and participants.
“Spectators tend to watch with interest imagining their own dog being able to compete as all breeds are allowed,” she said.
This year, 16 teams from across the state will be competing.
Visit the East Arena at the Dandenong Show from 9am on Saturday 12 November, Greaves Reserve, Bennet Street, Dandenong, to see Flyball in action.
