Dock jumping is a dog sport in which dogs compete in jumping for distance or height from a dock into a body of water.
A team consists of one dog, of any type or size,or age, and usually one handler. Dogs must be over 6 months of age to compete. Handlers may use a toy, also known as the chase object. The dogs are not required to chase or retrieve the toy.
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The dock
The dock is usually 40 feet (12 m) long by 8 feet (2.4 m) wide and 24 inches (61 cm) above the water surface but may differ depending on the sanctioning organization. Any body of water or pool that is at least 4 feet (1.2 m) deep can be used. The dock is covered in turf-type carpet for better traction and safety for the competitors. The handler may use any amount of the dock and they may start their dog from any point on the dock when competing.
Official jump distance
The jump distance is measured from the lateral midpoint of the end of the dock to the point at which the base of the dog’s tail (where the tail meets the body) breaks the water’s surface. The jump distance is measured electronically using digital video freeze frame technology or, in some cases, is measured manually by judges.
Each team takes two jumps in round-robin format. The longer of the two jumps is that team's score for that competition.
A jump in which the dog’s tail enters the water at a point further from the dock than another part of the dog’s body is scored using the point of the dog (for example, the head/nose) that breaks the surface of the water closest to the dock.
If the dog’s strides are off so that the dog starts its jump before the end of the dock, that is a disadvantage, because the jump is always judged from the edge of the dock, not from where the dog leaves the dock. A jump is only official if or when the toy leaves the handler's hand.
Techniques
Place and Send
- Walk the dog to the end of the dock and or, hold the dog back while throwing the toy into the water. Walk the dog back to the starting point, place the dog, then release or send the dog to go get the toy.
- This is effective for dogs that are not trained to wait or stay on the dock, especially if they have a lot of speed and can compensate for the lack of lift at the end of the dock.
Chase Method
Gives an advantage to the teams that can use this technique correctly.
- Place the dog in a stay or wait at his/her starting position on the dock.
- Walk to the end of the dock holding the toy.
- Call the dog from the end of the dock.
- Time the throw, and throw, trying to keep the toy just in front of the dog's nose so they chase it into the water.
The goal is to use this method to get the dog at the optimum launch angle to increase distance by getting him to jump up, instead of just out or flat, as with place and send. The chase method is difficult to master. However, if the dog is toy-driven, he can be trained to follow the toy.
A dog that jumps up at the end of the dock is said to have a good "pop".
A dog that jumps straight out at the end of the dock is said to be "flat".
Divisions
There are many divisions depending on the sanctioning organization. All teams are ranked according to how far they jump and are rated against teams within their own divisions for placements. Even small dogs have their own division, "lap dogs", along with older dogs (8 years and older), the "veteran" division.
UAD
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Splash Dogs
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Dock Dogs
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History
Dock Jumping started in 2000
Notable competitions
World records
The current world record is 28 feet 10 inches (8.79 m). [1]
- 09-Oct-05 28'10" Country, Kevin Meese, Bass Pro Shops - Baltimore, MD [2]
- 21-Aug-05 28'7" Country, Kevin Meese, Big Nickle time Cabelas- Hamburg, PA
- 07-Aug-05 27'5" Country, Kevin Meese, Bass Pro Shops - Baltimore, MD
- 06-Jul-02 26'6" Little Morgan, Mike Jackson, ESPN Great Outdoor Games -Lake Placid, NY
- 01-May-02 23'4" Haley, John Kline, ESPN2 Super Retriever Series - Northfield, MN
- 20-Feb-02 23'3" Little Morgan, Mike Jackson, Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show - Indianapolis, IN
- 08-Jul-01 23'1" Jerry, Mike Wallace, ESPN Great Outdoor Games - Lake Placid, NY
- 07-Jul-00 22'4" Heidi, Beth Gutteridge, ESPN Great Outdoor Games - Lake Placid, NY
United Kennel Club
In 2008, the United Kennel Club added dock jumping as the newest recognized United Kennel Club sport. Dogs can get UKC titles by competing in dock distance or height jumping like they can in agility, obedience, weight pulling, and others.
Dock Jumping Worldwide
Dock Jumping is world wide. Great Britain, Japan, Australia and Germany also have events.
References
External links
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