Flyball is a fun team sport that was invented in California in the late 1970's. It was Herbert Wagner that first showed it on the Johnny Carson Show to millions. Soon after this show, dog trainers and dog clubs were making and using Flyball Boxes. In the early 1980's, this doggie sport became so popular that the North American Flyball Association (NAFA) was formed. Now, they are the worldwide authority for Flyball.

This is CH Kanosak's Always a Jewel, CD FMX "Diamond", a very pretty and busy Golden gal. Talk about brains and beauty. First, Diamond is a Service Dog, helping her human companion who suffers with multiple sclerosis. But, all working girls need to have a way to have fun and this one just loves the sport of flyball, a spirited and sole Golden Retriever member of the Beltway Bandits Flyball Team. Already having flyball and a beginning obedience titles, she is now working on completing a CDX title as well as a Novice title in Agility. Is there anything this girl can't do? We don't think so!

This is Bones, a Golden Retriever who goes joyfully for Flyball gold. Bones is a six-year-old Golden dude, rescued from the pound four years ago. It took a year to break his runaway habit. Bones has gone on to become a Top Obedience Dog in North America, with a Utility Dog Excellence title. Bones especially enjoys Flyball, an exciting competitive sport in which dogs catch propelled balls and leap hurdles.

Bones is part of the "Dogs with Jobs, Obedience Olympians" Documentary movie series. He loves showing off the dozens of intricate voice and hand commands he knows. And, he loves to show how he can handle complicated obstacle courses. Enjoyment for Bones and his handler is a priority. He has recently retired to do Pet Therapy, another career that will take advantage of his joyful attitude and constantly wagging tail.

Click here to see a flash movie clip of some Flyball Goldens and their pals. And, check out Barbara's Golden Honey Calista (Callie), FDCH by clicking here.


Flyball Basics: Typical Lane Setup
Flyball is a relay race that has four dogs on a team. The course consists of a starting line, four hurdles spaced 10 feet apart, and a flyball box. The first hurdle is six feet from the start line. The flyball box is 15 feet from the last hurdle, which gives you a 51 foot overall length. Dogs jump the hurdles and step on a spring loaded flyball box that shoots out a tennis ball. The dog then catches the tennis ball and runs back over the four hurdles. When the dog crosses the starting line, the next dog on the team gets to go. The first team to have all four dogs run without errors wins the heat. Tournaments are organized in either a double elimination or round robin format. Double elimination is usually best of three races or best of five races. Round robin is the best three out of five races, and the first team to win three heats, receives 1 point towards their standing in the tournament.

Flyball Box The height of the hurdles depends on the height of the dogs on the team. It is four inches below the shoulder height of the shortest dog. The minimum height is eight inches and the maximum height is 16 inches. One of the fastest times for a total run is 16.70 seconds, which was earned by Total Recall, a dog from Ontario, Canada.

On Your Mark (complete book!) Flyball Books & Media Flyball Training Magazines Introduction to Flyball Training BFA Training Articles Easy Retrieve Not Letting Go of the Ball Mouthing/Chewing the Ball Improving speed Slow Outruns Faster Turns Faster Returns Passing Swimmer's Turn Train Swimmer's Turn with Shoot Pictures/Info on Turn Training   Hesitant Releases Jumping too High

Introducing Dogs to Flyball Box Holding the ball Breaking Boards on Jumps Proofing Exercises Matting Understanding Prey Drive Flyball and Injury Prevention Flyball Mailing List Flyball Chat Definitive Guide to Ball Sizes Medical Info for Flyball Dogs NAFATM Racing Rules Flyball Organizations Flyball Tournament Forms Flyball Boxes Flyball Jumps Flyball Shoot and Plans