What is the sport of flyball?

Flyball is a fast-paced sport in which the first of four relay dogs begins at a starting line, races over four hurdles placed ten feet apart, and runs fifteen more feet to a flyball box. There he presses a spring-loaded pad to release a ball, which he carries back over the same track to his owner. When he crosses the line, the second dog races off.

Each team consists of four dogs of any breed, or mixed breed. The hurdle height is determined by the shoulder height of the team’s smallest dog. For this reason, teams welcome small dogs who can run and jump with speed and precision. The objective in flyball is to win the race without dropping a ball or having any dog start before the previous dog has crossed the finish line.

– Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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