The Classic Center is holding the 10th Annual Flyball Racing Tournament this weekend. Athens’ Double Dog Dare and Atlanta’s Lunatic Fringe are hosting the relay-style dog racing Saturday, July 15th and Sunday, July 16th. Teams from 20 clubs from around the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions will gather in Athens for the competition. Club member Christine Ahern tells us what those attending can expect.
“The first thing people will notice is the noise,” Ahern said. “Dogs who are racing are barking, dogs who are waiting to race are barking, and they’re loud because they’re excited. It’s great physical and mental exercise and it’s also fun.
Ahern says it’s not just fun for those competing.
“Flyball is also fun for spectators and we welcome folks to come on down, bring the who family and check out the racing. It’s really exciting.”
In flyball racing, two teams of four dogs race each other down a lane over jumps. At the end, they trigger a spring-loaded box to catch a tennis ball, then race back to their handler for the next dog to be released.
“Oh, it’s really just a great way to get out and have fun with your dog and with your teammates. Unlike a lot other dog sports like agility, flyball is a team sport; so we travel together, we compete together and that’s a really nice aspect of it too.”
The event is free and open to the public. No pets or flash photos allowed.
For more information, visit www.doubledogdareflyball.com.