Flyball...
...is an exciting, head-to-head, relay race between teams of four dogs
each. In turn, each dog on a team must jump over a series of four jumps and ...
... run to a Flyball "box" that tosses out a tennis ball when
the dog hits a pedal. The dog must catch the ball and carry it back over the jumps
to the start/finish line.
Then the next dog repeats the sequence. The dogs love it, the
handlers love it, and spectators love it!
Flyball is sponsored by the North
American Flyball Association (NAFA) rather than the American Kennel Club (AKC).
However, Flyball exhibitions frequently are featured as special events at AKC-licenced
shows.
Teams may be composed of dogs of any breed, including mixed breeds, and most teams include
a variety. Belgian Tervuren are found on many world-class flyball teams, and are one of
the most successful relative to their numbers. Tervs often excel at flyball, using
their natural agility, speed, drive and spirit.
Titles are awarded based on points accumulated for successful heats. Each dog on a
team which completes the course in under 24 seconds receives 25 points, under 28 seconds
receives 5 points, and under 32 seconds receives 1 point. The dogs receive their
first title, Flyball Dog (FD), when they obtain 20 points, often at their first
tournament. The highest title is Flyball Grand Champion (FGDCh), which is received
for attaining 30,000 points. Here is a summary of the NAFA Titles and the points
required to achieve them:
