Does anyone compete at Dock Dogs??

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DiggerandWill

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Hello, this is my first post on the dog forum. I was wondering if any of you compete at Dock Dogs (dog long jumping in to water). I am planning to go to my first DD event next Saturday in Southend and having read the rules am not entirely sure quite how it works. My dog, the lovely Digger, has been doing the similar Dash N Splash for a couple of years but that is really straightforward.
Sorry, this probably sounds mad - it's hardly mainstream dog sport, but Digger really enjoys it (I do too) and it would be good to find any HHO dogs who are similarly mad about jumping into the big pool. Anyone else heading for Southend on the 4th?? Advice for a first time Dock Dog?
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Thanks for reading!
 
And how is it judged? Is there a measuring line? Sounds like great fun. One of my old girls would have loved that sort of thing - my current two are paddlers but not big fans of going in much further than that!
 
Yes it is great fun for those water loving dogs. Dock Dogs are an American organisation who run competitions in the UK a couple of times a year. I haven't competed with them before as I said but judging by the rule book on their website www.dockdogs.com it is very strictly regulated.

At DashNSplash, the English version www.dashnsplash.co.uk there is an instructor in the water to assist if a dog gets in difficulties but dogs are not allowed into the 'big pool' unless they show potential in one of the smaller training pools. The training period is quite thorough in my experience and I have never felt that Digger's welfare was in any way at risk.

Basically the dog is held at the end of a 30' 'runway' and then released as a ball is thrown to the end of the pool. Dog charges down the runway and leaps into the pool. Dashn splash record is 28'. It's measured to where nose enters water. DockDogs measure to base of tail I think. Digger did a personal best on Sunday with 23' at the Paws in the Park show at Romsey Hants and came 3rd in the final. Very proud Mummy and very happy Digger.

And it is so much easier than competing with horses!
 
Where can we find out about how to start, where events are, it all seems a long way from Swindon but with the waters parks at Ashton Keynes and surrounding areas they should move some up this way!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Next DashNSplash is down here in Kent as far as I am aware. Early September at the Hop Farm near Paddock Wood. They run a training day on the Friday then further training and competitions over the weekend. I have e-mail address for the organisers if anyone wants to know more (or suggest new venues which I am sure they would consider).

I am not sure how often Dock Dogs are in UK and where they are after Southend next weekend.

There are loads of photos from last weekend at http://www.photoboxgallery.com/momofoto/collection?album_id=128535423 if you are interested in seeing more.

Would suggest PM me for the e-mail address if you would like to contact organisers. Their website www.dashnsplash.co.uk is quite good but rather out of date. All types of dogs participate though it tends to be the labs and spaniels who get the longer jumps. The record holder is a lab x pointer.

Digger just loves it. When he sees the pool he becomes a different dog who is transfixed by it all. He even ran away from an agility class to get back to the pool which was embarassing!
 
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