Dog sports are competitive activities specifically designed for dogs. Dogs typically participate in sports with the help of owners, although some dog sports do not require human participation. A 2015 survey found that dog owners of all classes participate in dog sports, with owners from large cities (over 500,000 people), medium cities (between 100,000 and 500,000 people), small cities (less than 100,000 people), and rural areas each accounting for roughly the same percentage of dog sport competitors.
According to the survey, the most popular dog sports are obedience sports, and the majority of people that compete in dog sports compete in over twelve dog sporting events per year. Additionally, the majority of owners that compete in dog sports are primarily motivated by internal motivators (such as satisfaction or improving their relationships with their dogs) rather than external motivators (such as prizes).
Combat sports
+Dog combat sports Sport Image Brief description BaitingDogs fight or torment other animalsDog fightingDogs fight other dogsVenatioGladiators fought various animals, including dogsHog-dog rodeoDogs chase and capture hogs
Herding sports +Dog herding sports Sport Image Brief description Sheepdog trialDogs compete their herding management skillsTreibballDogs drive large balls into goals
Obedience sports +Dog obedience sports Sport Image Brief description Heelwork to musicDogs and humans perform trained routines to musicMusical canine freestyleDogs and humans perform freestyle dance to musicObedience trialDogs execute predefined tasksRally obedienceDogs execute tasks without commands from judges and while receiving encouragementSchutzhundDogs compete in tracking, obedience, and protection skills
Pulling sports +Dog pulling sports Sport Image Brief description BikejoringDogs pull humans on bicyclesCanicrossCross-country running with dogs attached to a humanCartingDogs pull items or people in a cartDog scooteringDogs pull humans on unmotorized scootersMushingDogs pull a sled, usually through snowSkijoringDogs pull humans on skisWeight pullingDogs pull heavy objects or weights
Racing sports +Dog racing sports Sport Image Brief description Dachshund racingDachshund dogs raceGreyhound racingGreyhound dogs raceShepherd's ShemozzleHumans race through an obstacle course alongside dogsSled dog racingDogs race while pulling a sledTerrier racingTerrier dogs race
Tracking and hunting sports +Dog tracking and hunting sports Sport Image Brief description BeaglingScent hounds such as beagles track and hunt rabbits or hares by scentCoon huntingDogs track and hunt raccoonsCoursingSighthounds hunt prey by sight and speedDrag huntingHumans on horseback follow a scent using dogsEarthdog trialShort-legged dogs navigate tunnels while hunting a rat or mouseField trialDogs compete in field hunting eventsFox huntingDogs track and hunt foxes by scentHare coursingDogs hunt rabbits or hares by sightHound trailingHounds race along a scent trailHunting the clean bootHounds track a natural human scentLure coursingDogs chase a mechanically-operated lureNoseworkDogs search for target odors while ignoring distractionsTracking trialDogs track a target by scentTrail huntingA pack of hounds tracks an artificially-laid trail of animal urine
Water sports +Dog water sports Sport Image Brief description Dock jumpingDogs compete to jump furthest into waterDog surfingDogs surf, either with or without human partners
Other sports +Other dog sports Sport Image Brief description AgilityDogs are guided through an obstacle course to compete for speed and accuracyDog skateboardingDogs ride skateboardsDisc dogDogs compete to catch frisbeesFlyballTeams of dogs race over hurdles to retrieve a ballPuppy BowlPuppies play with toys in a miniature American football stadium
See also List of sports - for sports involving humans List of equestrian sports - for sports involving horses
References
Further reading Sundance, K. (2010). 101 Ways to Do More With Your Dog: Make Your Dog a Superdog with Sports, Games, Exercises, Tricks, Mental Challenges, Crafts, and Bonding. Beverly, MA: Quarry Books.