An extreme sport, flyball is to dogs what abseiling is to humans – super fast, super technical and super fun for the animal and the owner.
Scallywags Flyball Club co-ordinator Jenni Redmond says the sport’s four-legged competitors must learn a series of tricks including speeding over three jumps before hitting a board, grabbing a tennis ball and returning to the start, ready for the next team-mate, all in the fastest time possible.
“We train on Sunday mornings training at Princes Park in Auburn,” she said.
“Any dog; regardless of breed, size, shape or formal training, can participate and join in on the fun.”
After the three-day Canberra Show, the team will romp back to the ACT for the Australian National Flyball Championships starting March 12.
“Pitching our tents, we camp out with the dogs during competition days,” Jenni said.
“We are confident of bringing back some medals and putting Auburn on the map.
“I have high hopes for my three-year-old German Shepherd ‘Mouse’ who is just raring to go plus our President’s Pick last year was won by ‘Olive’, a little Tamaruke, she is very smart, very fast and very agile. She darts around like a little black rabbit; the crowds are going to love her.”
Scallywags to take on best in country
THEY won every competition on offer last year, including a clean sweep at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and now Auburn-based Scallywags Flyball Club will pit six of their champions against the best in Australia at the Royal Canberra Show next week.