What is flyball for dogs?
Fast-paced and exciting - 2 teams of 4 dogs go head to head in a relay race to retrieve a ball. Get answers to all your flyball FAQs and start competing with your dog!
Flyball is a team relay race for dogs. Two teams of four race side by side over four hurdles to a spring-loaded box, which the dog triggers to release a ball, then carries it back over the hurdles to the handler. The fastest team with all four dogs clear wins. Dogs compete from 18 months and any breed can take part, with hurdle heights set by the smallest dog on the team.
Here is the flyball 101 - our rundown of your flyball FAQs.
What is Flyball?
Flyball is a fast-paced, unique, and inclusive team relay race. Two teams of 4 dogs go face-to-face in a game of speed, agility and accuracy. Dogs race down a line of hurdles to a box which releases a ball to catch - before they speed back to their handler.
What flyball equipment do you need?
Flyball doesn't need a lot of equipment, and your training club will provide most of it, but if you plan to practice at home, you'll need...
-
4 hurdle jumps (8 if you're racing against another team)
-
A flyball box (1 per team)
-
Lots of balls!
-
A timer
-
Lots of space on a non-slip, safe surface.
What are the rules of flyball?
2 racing lanes are set up, side by side, with 4 hurdles each. Dogs take turns to race over the hurdles to the box, release and catch the ball and race back.
-
Only one dog per team runs at a time.
-
Dogs touch the spring-loaded box to release and catch a ball. If they miss the ball, they must run again, after the rest of their team.
-
If a dog misses a hurdle, they must run again after the rest of their team.
-
Each dog may start their run as the previous dog's nose crosses the finish line.
How does a team win at flyball?
The winning flyball team is the fastest team to have all 4 dogs across the finish line error-free. If any dog misses or drops the ball or misses a hurdle, they must run again until all 4 dogs are successful.
How is flyball equipment set up?
Measurements vary slightly between organisations, but as a rule of thumb, 4 hurdles are set out, roughly 10 ft apart. The first hurdle is 6 ft from the starting line, and the final hurdle is 15ft from the flyball box.
Hurdle heights vary between organisations, but as a rule of thumb the minimum hurdle height is 6 inches tall, and the maximum height is 12 inches.
Boxes are loaded with an approved ball. In many cases, this is similar to a tennis ball but may vary in size depending on the size of the dogs running.
Starting lights and laser timers are used in flyball competitions, but in friendly competitions and training, it's more likely to be a manual timer.
Hurdle height is set by the smallest dog on the team, which is why teams often recruit a small fast dog on purpose. In the UK, heights are measured against that dog's height at the withers and fall between 6 and 12 inches. Exact measurement rules differ between the British Flyball Association and the UK Flyball League, so check with your club which body it races under before setting practice hurdles at home.
What makes a good flyball dog?
All kinds of dogs can be good flyball dogs, but speed, agility and accuracy are great skills.
Energetic dogs and those who love a tennis ball are fab flyball dogs. They need to have superb recall and be sociable and happy enough to run past other dogs. Of course, the fastest dogs are super fit, but you can build up your dog's fitness as you train.
Can any dog do flyball?
Yes, the great thing about flyball is that it is so inclusive. Any dog can give it a go, from teeny chihuahuas to giant rottweilers. Of course, some breeds, such as border collies, have a more natural affinity for it, but any dog can enjoy the sport. Dogs need to be 18 months or older to compete.
Check out the top 10 flyball dog breeds here.
How do I train my dog for flyball?
-
Nail your recall
Practice, practice, practice. Flyball competitions are high-energy, noisy places-you need your dog to come back to you no matter what else is happening around them.
-
Fetch!
Get your dog excited for a game of fetch, and make sure you teach them to "drop it" too!
-
Practice over jumps
Throw your ball over hurdles, so they learn to jump them as they fetch it.
-
Touch
Get their paws on a flyball box. They need to learn how to operate it. This is best done in a step-by-step process, with plenty of rewards and praise.
-
Join a local flyball club or training session
Learn the best training techniques and how to use the equipment safely.
Is flyball safe for dogs?
Flyball is safe when it is taught properly, but it is a high-impact sport and the demands on the body are specific to it.
The box turn is the point of highest load. The dog hits the box at full speed, rotates and pushes off, and the force goes through the shoulders and forelimbs. A poorly taught turn, where the dog stops rather than rotating, puts far more strain through the front end.
The hurdles are low but repeated. A dog covers eight hurdle passes per run, several runs per race, and several races in a day.
Racing is intense and short, which makes a proper warm-up and cool-down more important rather than less. Cold muscles and a sprint start do not go together.
Surface matters. Indoor matting and firm, non-slip ground protect the shoulders far better than wet grass.
Practical steps: get the box turn taught properly by a club from the beginning, keep your dog lean, warm up and cool down at every event, alternate the direction of practice turns where your club allows it, and consider a joint supplement for a dog competing regularly. Antinol® Joint Care Pro is built on PCSO-524®, a green lipped mussel oil supplying a full spectrum of omega 3s, and supports healthy joints in active dogs.
Where can I learn flyball with my dog?
Look for local flyball classes or canine sports clubs. You could join a local team and compete in the UK Flyball League. Alternatively, you could find a British Flyball Association club near you and take some lessons before you start competing.
Once you and your dog have honed your flyball skills, why not try another canine sport? Perhaps agility or canine hoopers. Check out our Canine Sports page, and find yourself a new sport.
Antinol is the joint supplement of choice for canine champions around the world, including Crufts agility champions. Read how Antinol supports their mobility here.
Frequently asked questions
-
What is flyball?
A relay race for two teams of four dogs. Each dog runs over four hurdles to a spring-loaded box, triggers it to release a ball, and carries the ball back over the hurdles. The fastest team with all four dogs clear wins.
-
What age can a dog start flyball?
Dogs compete from 18 months. Foundation work such as recall, fetch and a reliable drop can start much earlier, without hurdles or the box.
-
Can any breed do flyball?
Yes, from the smallest to the largest. Teams are often built around one small fast dog, because hurdle height is set by the smallest team member. Ball drive and recall matter more than breed.
-
How fast is a flyball run?
A quick individual dog runs the course in under four seconds, and top teams complete all four dogs in around 15 seconds.
-
What equipment do you need for flyball?
Clubs supply everything. To practise at home you would need four hurdles, a flyball box, a supply of balls, a timer and a safe non-slip surface with room to run.
-
Is flyball hard on a dog's joints?
The box turn carries the highest load, through the shoulders and forelimbs. A properly taught turn, a lean dog, a good surface and a real warm-up make the largest difference.
