Residents are invited to see dogs leaping for joy. . . and toys
The North America Diving Dog Qualifier event and the Canadian Prairie Regional Dog Diving event will be taking place in St. Andrews at the Dog Pool Dock on the Bay in the next couple of weeks.
Both of these events are hosted by the North America Diving Dogs an organization that combines a passion for dogs with the excitement of aquatic sports in dock diving.
“The dog runs down the dock and jumps into the pool, and our pool is 45 by 30 feet wide, and they’re judged by when the dock of their tail meets the water,” explained Megan-Rai Ferguson Canadian NADD rep and owner of the Dog Pool Dock on the Bay.
The Dog Pool Dock on the Bay is a facility in St. Andrews and Manitoba’s only North American Diving Dogs facility. In addition to dog dock diving they have swimming lessons and open pool time for dogs as well as therapy for senior dogs or dogs recovering from surgery.
Ferguson explained that this competition isn’t for any specific type or breed of dog as all dogs are welcome to attend the Dog Pool Dock on the Bay and the North America Diving Dog Qualifier is open to all participants. The Canadian Prairie Regional Dog Diving event is a more competitive event where dogs who have won qualifying events participate.
The North America Diving Dog Qualifier event takes place between August 23 and 25 and the Canadian Prairie Regional’s are on August 30 and 31.
The North America Diving Dog Qualifier event will feature three different events —the distance jump, the air retrieve and the hydro dash which are going to be going on each day of the competition.
“The distance jump is where the dog runs down the dock, jumps into the water, and it’s judged on where the base of the tail connects to the water. Our next theme is hydro dash, where the toy is suspended one inch above the water, at 37 feet. The dog has a limited distance on the dock of 10 feet. They dump off the dock. When their back feet leave the dock, the timer goes on, so it’s a timed speed event. They swim down, get the toy and bring it back and then the timer goes off. The air retrieve is where the dog is trying to get a toy that is suspended above the water. It is suspended four feet above the water, and that moves out in one-foot increments as the dogs get it,” said Ferguson.
Dogs don’t have to be breeds that are typically thought of as water dogs or retrievers to participate in or enjoy this sport so attendees and competitors alike will likely see many different types of dogs at this event.
“I have border terriers, they are just at like 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder. They jump like crazy. We’ve got everything under the sun, really. We’ve got terriers, to hounds, to retrievers, to hunting dogs. There isn’t a dog that we don’t see on the dock,” said Ferguson.
If your dog is interested in signing up for this event there is still time as the North America Diving Dog Qualifier takes walk-up registration. There is a registration fee however and one requirement of entry is having a North American diving dogs number.
For those who would like to come to see the competition but are not interested in participating, everyone is welcome and it’s free to watch.
“We’ve got a, we’re calling it the gin pit, which is like a beer garden, it’s by the dock. We’ve got vendors, we’ve got a canteen. Everybody can come and bring their dog. You just have to bear in mind that the dog has to be within six feet of the person. They can come and watch,” said Ferguson.
She invites residents who are interested to stop by and check it out.
“It will be a great day. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere. You just come out and enjoy the day and watch the dogs jump,” said Ferguson.
Record Photo Submitted
A dog dock diving competition is going to make a splash in St. Andrews.
Resdients can learn more about North American Diving Dogs at northamericadivingdogs.com.
The Dog Pool Dock on the Bay will also have additional information on their website at dogpool.ca.
