Dogs in space

By Lia Bichel
The Berwick Obedience Dog Club is hosting the 2010 Supercoat Flyball National Championships at the Dandenong Show on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 November.
The event is similar to a relay for dogs and entails each team of dogs running down a lane and four hurdles, jumping on a box which pops out a ball, and then running with the ball back over the four hurdles across the line.
Once the first dog crosses the line, the second dog runs.
The first team to complete an unflawed run and cross the line wins the heat.
Ula Tourloupis from the Flyball Nationals Subcommittee said there was a record number of teams registered for the event so far.
“We have a record 46 teams entered from as far away as Queensland and Tasmania. This is approximately 250 very excitable dogs,” she said.
“If people in the area are looking to become involved, the Berwick Obedience Dog Club trains for Flyball on Saturday afternoons, we are always looking for new flyball dogs.”
Ms Tourloupis said the event catered to dogs of different shapes and sizes.
“The height of the hurdles or jumps is dependent on the size of the team’s smallest dog running, and is much like a handicap,” she said.
“This is why you will see a large variety of breeds, sizes and colours at a flyball competition. Any dog can play!”
For more information on the Berwick Obedience Dog Club visit www.berwickodc.asn.au