Dog Sports: Beginner's Guide to Activities and Competitions

Dog sports—organized athletic activities where dog-handler teams compete alongside, and against, each other—are growing in popularity. One reason for this increased interest? Many dog sport venues are open to beginners! You don’t have to be a seasoned competitor or canine professional to try them out with your furry friend.

We’ve put together this introduction to dog sports for every pet parent whose interest has been piqued by conversations about agility, flyball, rally, and all their cousins in recent years.

Here’s the low down on:

• What even is a dog sport?
• Which pets and people are eligible to compete in a dog sport?
• What are the most popular dog sports? Why are these activities fan favorites?
• How can you choose the right dog sport to participate in with your pup?

Let's dive in!

1) What are dog sports, exactly?

“Dog sport” is a broad label. At their core, modern dog sports are activities meant for dogs and their people to enjoy together. These pursuits usually combine elements of athleticism, intelligence, and teamwork.

Dog sports are both similar to—and different from—organized human sports

Some canine sports are similar to what we imagine human sports to be. Consider flyball, for example. In this fast-paced activity, teams of dogs run a relay course. The team with the fastest time wins. (Instead of carrying a baton, they carry a ball in their mouths.)

Other dog sports are quite different from our human activities. Think of rally obedience, where dogs respond to their owner’s cues on the spot in what can be described as a looser version of a formal obedience competition.

Dog sports are for more than professional breeders and trainers

Many canine sports started with the goal of "proving" (that is, demonstrating quality) breeding stock. Herding competitions for working dogs on farms is one example. Others came about just for fun—like dock diving—and today it’s possible to compete in most dog sports at an amateur level!

Dog sports be wonderful opportunities for canine enrichment, socialization, and bonding with our pets.

2) Who can compete in dog sports?

Dog sport rules vary by sport, organization, and sometimes even specific trial. (Facilities often host “fun runs” with looser rules than structured competitions. This can be the perfect entry point for beginners.)

Does your dog need to be a purebred to enter dog sport competitions?

In general, you do not need to have a purebred dog to find a dog sport you enjoy. Exact requirements depend on your chosen sport—but mixed breed dogs are welcome in many events.

What health requirements are there to participate in dog sports?

Your dog needs to be in good physical health to be an ideal candidate for any canine sport—regardless of their breed—since most dog sports involve some level of physical activity. But different sports have varying physical demands!

Some of the most strenuous dog sports are:

• Agility
• Flyball
• Dock diving
• Disc dog sports
• Lure coursing

The easiest dog sports for elderly or injured dogs to participate in are:

• Nosework or scent work
• Rally obedience
• Barn hunt
• Other activities like working towards trick dog titles

Does your dog need a certain temperament to do dog sports?

Not every dog needs the same temperament for every sport. It's a good idea to match your pup's natural abilities with the requirements of your chosen activity—this alignment can improve their performance and everyone's enjoyment!

• Consider your dog's drive: Dogs involved in sports like agility, obedience trials, or flyball benefit from having a strong drive to work and play. They should enjoy tasks that require physical and mental effort.
• Can your dog focus around distractions? Dog sport competitors need to maintain focus amid distractions both in training and during competitions. (Don't worry if your four-legged friend isn't there yet. This ability can be trained!)
• Ask if your canine companion enjoys working with you: Many sports involve teamwork between the dog and handler. Dogs who enjoy pleasing their owners excel most quickly! The stronger your bond, the more naturally this cooperation will come.

3) Popular dog sports

Here are some of the most popular dog sports for pet parents to explore, especially in the United States.

Canine agility

• Team or single-dog? A single dog and handler run the course at a time
• Are dogs loose at the same time? (Is the sport reactive dog friendly?) Dogs can often see each other—but the course is usually sectioned off

Known for its fast-paced televised competitions, agility is one of the best recognized canine sporting events. Most laypeople have at least a general idea of what it’s about: Dogs complete timed courses of varying obstacles—these include challenges like jumps, tunnels, and weave poles—during sanctioned agility events or more casual fun runs. Herding breeds like Border Collies are popular contenders.

You can learn more about agility in our guide at this link!

Flyball

• Team or single-dog? Multiple dogs run on the same team, though only one actually moves at a time
• Are dogs loose at the same time? (Is the sport reactive dog friendly?) We do not recommend traditional flyball for dogs still going through reactivity training

At its simplest, flyball is a relay race. Two teams of dogs (eight total, four on each team) complete a straightforward yet challenging set of obstacles in order to reach the finish line. Each dog must go over hurdles, quickly turn and pressing a pad to launch a ball from a box, and finally catch and carry the ball back over the hurdles to their starting point.

You can read more about flyball in our guide here.

Dock diving (or dock jumping)

• Team or single-dog? A single dog jumps at a time
• Are dogs loose at the same time? (Is the sport reactive dog friendly?) Dogs can often see each other—but the pool and dock are separate from the waiting and viewing areas

Dock diving is quickly becoming a favorite canine sport among “casual” pet owners because it’s a straightforward activity. Exactly like the name implies, dogs run and jump off of a dock into a pool or other body of water! You can compete for the farthest jump in distance diving or see if your dog can grab a raised bumper in the air retrieve event.

You can learn more about dock diving at this link!

Disc dog competitions

• Team or single-dog? A single dog and handler play the game at one time
• Are dogs loose at the same time? (Is the sport reactive dog friendly?) Dogs can often see each other—depending on the venue, the field may or may not be separated from those on the sidelines

Dog disc sports, also known as canine disc sports or frisbee dog sports, are activities that involve dogs and their handlers performing various throwing and catching routines with frisbees. These sports provide a fun and interactive way for dogs and their owners to bond—all while showcasing athleticism, agility, and coordination.

You can see some of our favorite dog frisbee recommendations here!

Skijoring, bikejoring, canicross, and other forms of mushing

• Team or single-dog? Both are possible!
• Are dogs loose at the same time? (Is the sport reactive dog friendly?) Dogs need to run by one another and pass from behind (or be passed) in close proximity in competitions

These three canine sports are all different variations of having your dog pull you while wearing a specific harness. (The right equipment is important to safely distribute weight and avoid injury.)

• At its simplest, skijoring is a winter sport where a skier is pulled by a horse, dog, or even a motor vehicle. It combines the velocity of downhill skiing with the more approachable terrain of its cross-country counterpart.
• Bikejoring is similar to traditional mushing on a sled except it’s with a bike. Essentially, one dog or a team of dogs are leashed to a bike (with a person riding it), and they pull the bike along.
• Short for “canine cross country,” canicross is trail racing with your four-legged best friend. However, there is much more to it than simply hitting a random path. Canicross events test your bond and communication.

You can read more about skijoring in this article, bikejoring in this piece, and canicross in this one.

Lure coursing

• Team or single-dog? A single dog chase the lure at one time
• Are dogs loose at the same time? (Is the sport reactive dog friendly?) Dogs can often see each other and sometimes run the course together

Lure coursing, sometimes known as lure chasing or lure racing, is an activity for dogs to engage their natural prey drive instinct to hunt. Not the same as simply chasing a tennis ball across an open field, lure courses are established paths made of pulleys with a lure, usually a piece of plastic with a bag attached to it. The lure is then released, moving through the course, which the dogs chase to their heart’s delight.

In many lure coursing trials, dogs are released into the field in teams of around three, with each dog outfitted with a different colored fitted blanket to tell them apart. 

Learn more about lure coursing in this guide!

Nosework and tracking

• Team or single-dog? A single dog and handler run the course at a time
• Are dogs loose at the same time? (Is the sport reactive dog friendly?) Dogs can often see each other—but the course is usually sectioned off with one dog participating at a time

Nosework, also known as scent training for dogs, is a way for canines to tap into their strong senses of smell. There are multiple different varieties of K9 nosework where your pup can explore the fun—and focus—of scent detection.

At the professional level, many working dogs perform scent detection to aid their human handlers with tasks like:

• searching for missing persons or illegal contraband
• sniffing out diseases like cancer
• detecting pests like bed bugs
• and even finding culinary delicacies like truffles. 

While nosework pulls from the same structures and objectives as scent detection, many pet parents and professional trainers as a fun activity for non-working dogs. Casual nosework offers big benefits to both dogs and their humans. It's especially great for mental stimulation—without demanding tough physical abilities!

Find out more about nosework in this article.

Barn hunt

• Team or single-dog? A single dog sniffs for the rats at a time
• Are dogs loose at the same time? (Is the sport reactive dog friendly?) Dogs can often see each other—but the course is usually sectioned off from observers

Barn hunt is a dog sport that replicates the traditional role of vermin hunting on farms. It provides a safe and structured environment for dogs to demonstrate their hunting instincts and scenting abilities. This beginner-friendly activity involves dogs searching for hidden rats in a barn-like setting constructed from straw bales, tunnels, and various obstacles.

Rally obedience and canine freestyle events

• Team or single-dog? A single dog and handler run the course at a time
• Are dogs loose at the same time? (Is the sport reactive dog friendly?) Dogs can often see each other, but the performance area is usually sectioned off

Rally obedience, also known as rally-O, is a dog sport that combines elements of traditional obedience training and agility. It is designed to test a dog and handler's teamwork, grasp of obedience skills, and ability to navigate a course while reading each other's body signals.

Canine freestyle, also known as musical canine freestyle or dog dancing, is a creative and expressive dog sport that combines elements of obedience, tricks, and choreography. The biggest draw? Handlers set their performances to music! In canine freestyle, a dog and their person perform a routine of synchronized movements, tricks, and dance steps. This impressive display showcases teamwork, coordination, and individual artistic interpretation.

4) How to find the right dog sport for you

With so many dog sport possibilities, it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s how to figure out which activity is the best fit for you and your pup!

Attend a few competitions to see what different sports are like

One of the best ways to get a feel for a dog sport is to visit an event in person. We recommend attending without your dog the first time so you can focus fully on the environment around you. Then decide if you think it looks like something your pup would enjoy!

You can find local events in a few ways:

• Follow large dog sport organizations, like the American Kennel Club, and refer to the events sections of their websites
• Join local Facebook groups or other social media forums for dog sports in your area
• Ask local trainers if they know of any participating facilities nearby

Consider your dog’s instincts and preferences

Think about the things your dog enjoys most. Maybe you have a herding breed who loves to control objects? Something like treibball, where dogs maneuver inflatable balls, could be a great way to fulfill their instincts!

Or maybe you have a terrier who always wants to track down small critters? An activity like barn hunt might be just the fit.

Play around with foundational skills at home

If you have an idea of a dog sport you’d like to pursue but aren’t sure how serious you want to get, starting with some foundational skills in your own space can be an ideal way to test the waters.

There are countless DIY opportunities for everything from urban or backyard agility (using built-in obstacles in your neighborhood) to nosework (simple food searches with your pup’s meals are a low-effort way to start) and more.

Get in touch with a trainer you trust

Certified force free dog trainers are invaluable. Many of them compete in various dog sports with their personal dogs—and even if they don’t, they’ll be able to refer you to trusted facilities in your area where you can get started.

It’s a great idea to have a professional in your corner if you think you might be interested in competing someday!

Does my dog need to compete in dog sports?

As dog sports grow in popularity, so too does the pressure for owners to enroll their pets in more and more activities. While we’re huge dog sport fans here at Sniffspot—many private dog park listings even provide fun extras like agility equipment to play on—it’s important to remember that there’s no reason you have to compete with your dog if you aren’t interested.

Dog sports are meant to be fun ways to enjoy the bond you share with your canine companion. They shouldn't sources of excess stress!

Other ways to exercise and provide enrichment for your dog

We’ve put together several general guides on keeping our dogs in top physical and mental shape. Take a look below if dog sports don't sound like your cup of tea.

• Best Ways to Exercise Your Dog
• Dog Exercise Calculator: How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?
• Comprehensive Guide to Enrichment Activities for Dogs
• Best Mental Exercises for Dogs

Trainer Review of this Article

There is so much misinformation out there, and we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers.  

This is the trainer that reviewed this article:

Beth Joy, CPDT-KA, PMCT
Owner and Lead Trainer Unleashed Joy Dog Training - Mt. Airy, MD.
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
www.unleashedjoy.com