Collies, retrievers and shepherds took to the air Friday in the first day of a national DockDogs competition at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
Some dogs, such as Trouble, an 18-month-old Dutch shepherd, eagerly hurtled off the dock after a toy during the big-air contest, a distance challenge. In one round, Trouble sprang about 23 feet through space before splashing into the pool.
While others, such as first-timer Jo, a 9-year-old yellow Lab, were a little bit more cautious. The Forest Lakes resident broke 5 feet in her most adventurous jump.
Trouble’s master, Rich Schafer of Lafayette, first saw dock jumping on ESPN in the early 2000s and thought: “My dog could do that.”
Since then, he has been to six world championships with his dogs and seen the sport mature.
About 15 years ago, there were about 20 to 30 dock-jumping clubs, but now there are about 18,000, said Matthew Bohn, an event organizer.
In addition to competing for distance, dogs also test their speed-retrieval skills and high-jumping aptitude in the extreme vertical competition. In this challenge, dogs leap for an object placed over a pool.
Dogs that participate in all the events and do well can win the Iron Dog honor. Those that place well this weekend also can qualify for the world championship competition.
But for some of the more than 100 dogs competing at the Four Corners Pet Expo this weekend, showmanship was more important than a title.
Bear, a fluffy 6-year-old border collie, is an average jumper, getting about 17 to 18 feet from the dock, but she is a regular competitor.
“She loves the water, she loves her tennis ball, she loves the crowd,” said Bear’s handler, Jeannie Garcia.
Compared with agility competitions, DockDogs is far more relaxed and more accessible for the general public, said Whitney Lightner, who was competing with her Belgian Malinois.
“You can get just about anybody’s dog to get off the dock,” she said.
Although the competition is broken into divisions and smaller dogs can compete, Friday was mostly medium-sized dogs taking to the air.
On Saturday, you and the family dog can catch more of the big-air competition and speed retrieval.
“That’s almost like drag racing for dogs,” DockDogs announcer Derek Schall said.
In between events, at the expo, you can meet plenty of new furry friends from regional shelters and peruse the offerings of pet-centric vendors.
The Four Corners Pet Expo is a production of Ballantine Communications Inc., which owns The Durango Herald.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
If you go
DockDogs events will be held Saturday at The Four Corners Pet Expo at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.
9 a.m.: Registration/practice.
10 a.m.: Big Air Wave No. 4.
11:30 a.m.: Big Air Wave No. 5.
1 p.m.: Speed Retrieve Finals.
Big Air Finals will follow the Speed Retrieve.
For more information, visit www.dockdogs.com/eventscal/four-corners-pet-expo.
