CANIDAE Sponsored Dogs Make a Splash at “Paws in the Pool”

By Linda Cole

Dock diving is a popular and inexpensive sport you can enjoy with your dog. The competition is friendly but competitive, and the dogs love every minute of it! At the recent Splash Dogs competition held in Lancaster, OH on August 20 and 21, Team CANIDAE was well represented with talented canine athletes ready to show why they're top dogs. Tony Reed of Splash Dogs and Terry Cook of Aqua Dogs hosted the event that had handlers and dogs from all over the country eager to hit the dock to show how far their dogs can fly.

The Paws in the Pool competition wasn't just about having a great time with your dog. The event also raised money to help support local animal shelters and rescue groups in the Fairfield County and surrounding area in Ohio. Animal shelters across the country are having record number of pets surrendered to them with fewer donations to help keep shelters operating. Events like Paws in the Pool help to raise much needed funds for rescue groups and shelters. Dog teams from around the country gathered in Lancaster to give their support to a good cause, have fun and find out who has the top dock diving dog, at least for this competition.

The Paws in the Pool competition was open to all interested dock diving clubs. Several CANIDAE Team members participated and made a great showing. A big congratulations to Dan Jacobs and his Labrador Retriever Kody who placed 2nd in the Pro Division Finals with a score of 20.01 ft. and Brian Johnson and his Chocolate Lab Gunner who placed 3rd with a score of 20.00 ft. Dan and his Labrador Retriever Kasey took top honors in the Senior Division placing 1st with a winning jump of 18.06 ft. Lynn Taylor worked three dogs through the Junior Division placing 3rd, 4th and 6th. Riot, a German Shorthaired Pointer, took 3rd with a score of 12.09 ft.; Champ, a German Shorthaired Pointer, finished 4th with a score of 12.07 ft.; Cajun, a Labrador Retriever, took 6th with a score of 10.06 ft. Way to go Team CANIDAE!

Dock diving is a relatively new sport for dogs that love swimming and have a high toy drive. The sport was first introduced in 1997 as an added event to the Incredible Dog Challenge program, but it didn't attract a following until 2000. The Great Outdoor Games that was aired on ESPN featured Big Air Dogs dock diving as a filler in between events. Since then, dock diving has taken off as one of the most popular dog sports. It's a family sport you can enjoy with your pet, and any dog that loves water and fetching can participate as long as he/she is over 6 months old.

Dogs leap off a slip proof turf covered dock that's 35 to 40 feet long, 8 feet wide and 24 inches above the surface of a body of water that's at least 4 feet deep. The dog can start anywhere on the dock before making his run to the end of the dock and flying as far as he can before touching water. Where the end of his tail touches first is the length of his jump. Dock diving was recognized as a sport by the United Kennel Club in 2008 and UKC registered dogs can receive titles in Air (distance) or Vertical (height) competitions. AKC so far doesn't recognize dock diving, but if anyone has new information concerning AKC's policy on dock diving, please let me know.

The world record holder is a 3 year old Chocolate Lab named Jordan. She flew through the air to an awesome distance of 31 feet 2 inches. I actually saw this jump on TV and what makes it even better is that Jordan and her owner Sean McCarthy live in a small town not too far from me. Yes, I was rooting for the hometown hero, so to speak.

I love watching dogs in action, and dock diving highlights the incredible grace and beauty of our four legged friends. If you're looking for a fun afternoon with your family and your dog, a dock diving competition will not disappoint you. Most events will allow your dog to give it a try, in between scheduled competitions.

CANIDAE Pet Foods is proud to sponsor dog sporting events and people who help their dogs live a healthy and active life. Visit their website to read more about the awesome dock diving dogs and other CANIDAE Special Achievers, and you’ll see why they stand out from the crowd!

Read more articles by Linda Cole