Sports for dogs
Dog sports are sports in which dogs participate.[ 1] [ 2] [ 3] [ 4] Sports on this page are organized alphabetically by category.
Note: Many blood sports are now illegal in much of the world.
Sport
Image
Brief description
Refs.
Dogs fight or torment other animals
[ 5]
Dogs fight other dogs
[ 6]
Dogs chase and capture hogs
[ 7]
Sport
Image
Brief description
Refs.
Dogs compete their herding management skills
[ 8] [ 9]
Dogs drive large balls into goals
[ 10]
Sport
Image
Brief description
Refs.
Dogs and humans perform trained routines to music
[ 11]
Dogs and humans perform freestyle dance to music
[ 12]
Dogs execute predefined tasks
[ 13]
Dogs execute tasks without commands from judges and while receiving encouragement
[ 14]
Dogs compete in tracking, obedience, and protection skills
[ 15]
Sport
Image
Brief description
Refs.
Dogs pull humans on bicycles
[ 16]
Cross-country running with dogs attached to a human
[ 17]
Dogs pull items or people in a cart
[ 18]
Dogs pull humans on unmotorized scooters
[ 19]
Dogs pull a sled, usually through snow
[ 20]
Dogs pull humans on skis
[ 21]
Dogs pull heavy objects or weights
[ 22]
Sport
Image
Brief description
Refs.
Dachshund dogs race
[ 23]
Greyhound dogs race
[ 24]
Humans race through an obstacle course alongside dogs
[ 25] [ 26]
Dogs race while pulling a sled
[ 27]
Terrier dogs race
[ 28] [ 29]
Tracking and hunting sports [ edit ]
Sport
Image
Brief description
Refs.
Beagles track and hunt rabbits or hares by scent
[ 30]
Dogs track and hunt raccoons
[ 31]
Sighthounds hunt prey by sight and speed
[ 32] [ 33]
Humans on horseback follow a scent using dogs
[ 34]
Short-legged dogs navigate tunnels while hunting a rat
[ 35]
Dogs compete in field hunting events
[ 36]
Dogs track and hunt foxes by scent
[ 37] [ 38]
Dogs hunt rabbits or hares by sight
[ 33]
Hounds race along a scent trail
[ 39]
Hounds track a natural human scent
[ 40]
Dogs chase a mechanically-operated lure
[ 41]
Dogs search for target odors while ignoring distractions
[ 42]
Dogs track a target by scent
[ 43]
A pack of hounds tracks an artificially-laid trail of animal urine
[ 44]
Sport
Image
Brief description
Refs.
Dogs compete to jump furthest into water
[ 45]
Dogs surf, either with or without human partners
[ 46] [ 47]
Sport
Image
Brief description
Refs.
Dogs are guided through an obstacle course to compete for speed and accuracy
[ 48]
Purebred dogs are judged for conformity to breed standards
[ 49]
Dogs ride skateboards
[ 50]
Dogs compete to catch frisbees
[ 51]
Teams of dogs race over hurdles to retrieve a ball
[ 52]
Young humans exhibit their dog handling skills
[ 53]
Puppies play with toys in a miniature American football stadium
[ 54]
^ "Try a New Dog Sport This Summer" . The Bark . Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2019 .
^ "Activities" . The Kennel Club . Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2019 .
^ Coren, Stanley (Mar 26, 2015). "Who Participates in Dog-sporting Events and Why?" . Psychology Today . Retrieved February 9, 2019 .
^ Marshall, Amy (November 23, 2013). "A Complete List of Recognized Dog Sports" . primalpooch.com . Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2020 .
^ "Bearbaiting | History, Spectacle & Outlaw | Britannica" . www.britannica.com . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Dog Fighting | Animal Legal & Historical Center" . www.animallaw.info . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Proposed hog-dog rodeo ban advances" . The Greenwood Commonwealth . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ Carson, Andy (2024-05-03). "Andy's Adventures: Northwest Championship Sheepdog Trials" . kptv.com . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Herding" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Treibball: Dog Sport Perfect for Herding Breeds and More" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Dancing With Dogs / Heelwork to Music" . 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Dancing dogs star in new show inspired by niche sport 'canine freestyle' " . ABC News . 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Dog Obedience Trials Began Because of Poodles and a Farmer | Psychology Today" . www.psychologytoday.com . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Getting Started in Rally" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ DeFabo, Mike (2013-10-17). "Schutzhund: A sport for working dogs" . Times West Virginian . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "What Is Bikejoring? The Ultimate Guide To Dog Bikejoring" . Neewa USA - Sport & Utility Dog Gear . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "What is canicross?" . Non-stop dogwear . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Dog carting group keen to pull in new fans" . NZ Herald . 2024-08-06. Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Sled Dog Central: An Introduction to Dog Scootering" . www.sleddogcentral.com . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "They're off: Mushers begin trek to Nome; Seavey seeks record" . Central Oregon Daily . 2022-03-07. Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "The Best Winter Dog Sport Ever: Skijoring" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ Bennett, Noah (2021-06-01). "Weight Pulling for Dogs: Rules, Champions and Records. How to Begin" . Pets Life Guide . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ Ellery, David (2017-01-29). "Werriwa Wiener dash claims world dachsund record" . The Canberra Times . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ Taylor, Caleb. "Investment group aims for return of live greyhound racing at Greenetrack in 2025" . 1819 News . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ " 'It's going to be huge': 25 years for iconic Hunterville Huntaway Festival" . NZ Herald . 2023-10-24. Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "It's barking mad at the Shepherds' Shemozzle" . NZ Herald . 2019-11-05. Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Lack of snow cancels longest sled dog race in eastern United States" . AP News . 2024-02-26. Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Jack Russell Terrier JRTCA Racing at Sanctioned Trials" . therealjackrussell.com .
^ "Jack Russell Terrier Racing" .
^ "Country Sports and Country Life - Beagling" . www.countrysportsandcountrylife.com . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Coon hunting then, now: Grand American born of hunting coons for sport" . The Times and Democrat . 2017-01-04. Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Coursing" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ a b "Coursing | Sighthounds, Hares & Rabbits | Britannica" . www.britannica.com . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "What's Drag Hunting?" . Mdbassociation.co.uk . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Earthdog" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ Brettingen, Ben (2024-02-12). "Pointing Dog Field Trials, and How To Understand Them" . Gun Dog . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Foxhunting | History, Rules & Traditions | Britannica" . www.britannica.com . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "BBC NEWS | UK | Fox hunting worldwide" . news.bbc.co.uk . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Hound Trailing Association » About Hound Trailing" . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "What is clean boot hunting? - Protect the Wild" . protectthewild.org.uk . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Lure Coursing" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Nosework Forms and Rules | United Kennel Club (UKC)" . www.ukcdogs.com . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Tracking" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "What is Trail Hunting | BHSA" . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Diving Dogs 101: How to Compete in Dock Diving Step-By-Step" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ Ramos, John (2024-08-03). "Thousands crowd beach in Pacifica for World Dog Surfing Championships - CBS San Francisco" . www.cbsnews.com . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ Surf’s up, paws down at the World Dog Surfing Championship . Retrieved 2024-08-06 – via apnews.com.
^ "Agility: Get Started" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Dog show | Description & History | Britannica" . www.britannica.com . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ Gibbs, Alice (2024-04-20). "Dog is a skateboarding pro after riding since she was 8-weeks-old" . Newsweek . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Disc Dog" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Eat, Drink, Sleep Flyball" . Modern Dog Magazine . 2008-10-29. Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Junior Showmanship" . American Kennel Club . Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
^ "Puppy Bowl: Where Touchdowns Are Scored On All Fours - CBS News" . www.cbsnews.com . 2011-02-04. Retrieved 2024-08-06 .
Sundance, K. (2010). 101 Ways to Do More With Your Dog: Make Your Dog a Superdog with Sports, Games, Exercises, Tricks, Mental Challenges, Crafts, and Bonding. Beverly, MA: Quarry Books.