Are ordinary frisbees suitable?
No. A rigid plastic frisbee can injure gums and teeth. Dog discs are made of flexible material designed to be caught in the mouth.
Discs, balls and retrieving
Disc Dog
Canine frisbee, in two very different forms: distance throws scored on metres, or freestyle routines set to music, with leaps and choreographed moves.
About the discipline
What Disc Dog is
Disc dog has two faces. The first is the distance event: the handler throws, the dog catches, and the score rises with the metres and with catches taken in the air.
The second is freestyle: a routine of a minute or so, set to music, with several discs, leaps over the handler's body and complex sequences. Difficulty, execution and artistic impression are all scored.
The part many people overlook is the landing. A dog leaping for a disc comes down with all its weight on the front limbs, which is why correct throwing technique and a proper warm-up are not details.
How it works in practice
What the discipline contains
- distance events, scored by zones on the field
- catches in the air, scored higher
- freestyle routines to music, with several discs
- leaps over the handler's body or arms
- technical throws: roller, flip, butterfly
- scoring on difficulty, execution and impression
A low, smooth throw that does not force the dog to jump vertically is the basic rule for joint health.
Which dogs it suits
- agile dogs, small and medium sized
- dogs with a passion for moving toys
- handlers willing to learn to throw properly first
Leaps are not worked with growing dogs. Until skeletal maturity, only low catches and rollers along the ground.
What you need
- discs made for dogs, flexible
- several discs, for routines
- grass without holes or bumps
- a warm-up before every session
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Disc Dog
At what age can we start?
Low catches and rolling the disc along the ground can be taught early. Leaps are introduced only after skeletal maturity, generally after 12 to 18 months.
My dog does not catch in the air. Can it be taught?
Yes, but gradually: first the disc rolled on the ground, then short low throws, then distance. Many dogs need weeks to work out the trajectory.
The rule figures on this page come from UFO World Cup - Throw & Catch, regulament. Rules change and federations differ - always check the rulebook of the competition you are entering.
From the same category
Related sports
Fetch and Retrieve
Retrieving trials for finding and delivering objects.
Flyball
A team relay with hurdles and retrieving a ball.
Treibball
The dog drives large balls towards a goal.
Pushball
Controlled pushing of a large ball towards a target.
We do not run Disc Dog
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.