How many dog sports are there in the world? A list of all dog sports

How many dog sports are there in the world? A list of all dog sports

Kevin Omuya
updated at August 9, 2023 at 9:30 AM

Dogs are brilliant and active animals that require mental and physical stimulation to stay healthy and happy. Dog sports are a great way to provide dogs with an outlet for their instincts and abilities and an opportunity to bond with their handlers and compete with other dogs. While the exact number of dog sports in the world is difficult to determine, there are a wide variety of sports and activities in which dogs can participate.

Different types of dog sports
Young woman practising downward facing dog pose playing with her pet in the living room. Photos: Hobo_018
Source: Getty Images

How many dog sports are there in the world? There are many other activities and competitions that dogs can participate in, including weight pulling, lure coursing, canine freestyle, and more. The exact number of dog sports worldwide is difficult to determine, as new activities and competitions are constantly being developed to complete. Here is a selected list of dog sports around the world.

1. Agility

A list of dog sports around the world
Agility competition during the first day of Crufts 2022 at the National Exhibition Centre on March 10, 2022, in Birmingham, England. Photo: Katja Ogrin
Source: Getty Images

Agility is where a dog and their handler navigate through obstacles, such as jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and others, to complete it as fast and accurately as possible. It requires high communication and trust between the dog and its handler. It also helps improve the dog's obedience, physical fitness, and mental stimulation. Agility can be done at any level, from casual to competitive, and is suitable for dogs of all sizes and breeds.

2. Obedience

What is the most popular dog sport?
A corgi puppy sits before a woman during dog training, looking up. Photo: Fotografixx
Source: Getty Images

Obedience is where a dog and their handler perform a series of commands, such as sit, stay, heel, and others. It can be done at home. The dog must be obedient, attentive, and responsive to its handler's commands.

Obedience training is essential for all dogs, as it teaches them how to behave in different situations and improves their overall behaviour. Obedience competitions are held at different levels, from novice to advanced, and are an excellent way for handlers and dogs to showcase their skills.

3. Rally obedience

What sport can I do with my dog?
A Kunming dog participates in a training exercise demonstration for the media at the CSD Dog Unit Headquarters in Stanley in Hong Kong district on February 27, 2018. Photo: Anthony Wallace
Source: Getty Images

Rally obedience is a dog sport combining traditional obedience training elements with a more relaxed, freestyle approach. In rally obedience competitions, the dog and handler team navigated a course with various exercises, including heeling, sitting, staying, and coming when called. Unlike traditional obedience competitions, where the dog and handler must perform activities in a specific order, rally obedience allows more flexibility and creativity.

The course is typically marked with signs indicating the different exercises the team must perform, and the team must complete the activities in the order indicated by the characters. Rally obedience is a great way for dogs and their handlers to build communication skills and have fun while training and competing.

4. Flyball

What is the hardest dog sport?
Border collie sheepdog jumping in the air to catch a football. Photo: Farm Images
Source: Getty Images

Flyball is where four dogs race over a series of hurdles to retrieve a ball from a box and then return it to their handler. The sport requires the dog to be fast, agile, and responsive to its handler's commands. Flyball is a great way for dogs to improve their physical fitness and bond with their handler and teammates.

5. Lure coursing

What is the best sport for dogs?
A dog running in a green field and chasing a lure at full speed on coursing competition straight into the camera. Photo: Alekta
Source: Getty Images

Lure coursing is where a dog chases a mechanical lure around a course. The sport tests the dog's speed, agility, and instinct to chase. Lure coursing is a great way to provide dogs with an outlet for their instincts and provides handlers with a fun and challenging activity to enjoy with their dogs.

6. Disc dog (frisbee)

Disc dog
A dog participates in a disc dog sport. Photo: Anita Kot
Source: Getty Images

Disc dog, or Frisbee, is where dogs catch flying discs or Frisbees thrown by their handler. The sport requires the dog to be fast, agile, and have good catching abilities. Disc dog is a great way to improve a dog's physical fitness, mental stimulation, and bond between the dog and their handler.

7. Dock diving

Dog sports for different dog breeds
Kristi Baird watches as her dog 'Echo' leapt into the water to record his jump distance during the Dock Dogs West Coast Challenge in Bakersfield, California, on February 26, 2016. Photo: Mark Ralston
Source: Getty Images

Dock diving is where a dog jumps off a dock into a pool or other body of water. The sport tests the dog's jumping ability and provides them with a fun and refreshing activity during the summer months. Dock diving is a great way to improve a dog's physical fitness and provides handlers with a fun and challenging activity to enjoy with their dogs.

8. Schutzhund/IPO

A list of dog sports around the world
VPG/IPO Schutzdienst Hundesport. Photo: Verschluss
Source: Getty Images

Schutzhund/IPO is a dog sport that tests a dog's obedience, protection, and tracking abilities. The joke was initially developed for police and military dogs and required the dog to perform tasks related to these jobs. Schutzhund/IPO is a great way to improve a dog's obedience, physical fitness, and mental stimulation.

9. Tracking

What is the most popular dog sport?
Trained dog retrieving toy. Photo: Douglas Sacha
Source: Getty Images

Tracking is a dog sport that involves dogs using their sense of smell to follow a scent trail left by a person or animal. The course can be anywhere from a few hundred yards to several miles long, and the dog must follow the scent trail and indicate to their handler when they have found specific items or locations along the route.

Tracking is an excellent way for dogs to use their instincts and get exercise, and it can also be a fun and challenging activity for their handlers. Tracking competitions are held worldwide, and many organisations offer classes and training for dogs and their handlers. Some organisations that provide tracking competitions include the American organisation's Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC), and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), among others.

10. Herding trials

What is the hardest dog sport?
Border collie herding sheep at the Soldier Hollow Classic sheepdog championship. The handler is waiting for his dog to bring the herd to him for the last stage of their final. Photos: Njg photos
Source: Getty Images

Herding trials test a dog's ability to work with livestock, using their natural herding instincts to move them through a course. The sport is usually reserved for herding breeds such as Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Australian Cattle Dogs, although other species may also participate.

The most popular dog sport can vary depending on the country and region. However, agility is generally considered the most popular dog sport in the United States. It has gained popularity recently due to its entertaining and challenging nature and suitability for dogs of all breeds and sizes, thus an international dog sport.

Other popular dog sports in the US include obedience, rally obedience, and flyball. However, it is worth noting that popularity can change over time, and new dog sports may emerge and gain popularity.

What sport can I do with my dog?

You can choose many types of dog sports depending on your interests, your dog's abilities and attractions, and what is available in your area. You can do agility, obedience, flyball, lure coursing, tracking and canicross; choosing a sport you and your dog enjoy and are physically capable of doing is essential.

What is the hardest dog sport?

Determining the "hardest" dog games is subjective, as it can depend on various factors, such as the individual dog's abilities, the handler's skills, and personal preferences. However, some dog sports are generally considered more challenging and require a higher level of training, discipline, and athleticism from both the dog and the handler.

What is the best sport for dogs?

The "best" sport for dogs depends on a variety of factors. There are dog sports for different dog breeds, temperaments, energy levels, and the owner's interests and abilities. The best joke is one that the dog enjoys and is physically capable of doing while providing mental stimulation, physical exercise, and a positive bonding experience with its owner.

That said, some games are more suitable for certain dogs than others. For example, herding and sheepdog trials may be best for herding breeds like Border Collies, while tracking and search and rescue may be better suited for species with a strong smell, like Bloodhounds or Beagles. Meanwhile, many breeds may enjoy sports like agility and flyball, as they require athleticism, speed, and agility.

Ultimately, the best games for your dog are those you enjoy and can participate in safely and responsibly. It is essential to consider your dog's personality, physical abilities, and interests when choosing a game and to work with a trainer or coach who can help you and your dog develop the skills and techniques necessary to participate in the sport safely and effectively.

Dog sports are a great way to provide dogs with exercise, mental stimulation, and an opportunity to bond with their handlers. They also give the handlers a fun and challenging activity to enjoy with their dogs and a chance to meet other dog owners and enthusiasts. However, it is essential to remember that proper training, safety precautions, and responsible training practices are necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the dogs involved in these activities.

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Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.