Dock Dogs Comes To Butte Fair This Weekend
By OutdoorAly

Posted: August 3, 2013

Think your hunting dog is a top-notch retriever? Test your dog’s water skills this weekend at Dock Dogs event, a part of the Silver Bow county fair entertainment line up. The event is open to dogs any age over 6 months, and any owner over 7 years old. What is Dock Dog you ask? You can find more information at this link, but here is a breakdown of the three main events:

Big Air – is a “long jump for dogs”. The dog, which may be placed anywhere on the 40’ dock, runs & jumps into the water after a throw toy. The distance is judged from the end of the dock to where the tail set of the dog breaks the water’s surface.

big air dog

photo courtesy: http://www.athleticdogs.com

Speed Retrieve – is a “timed event”. At the far end of the pool a bumper toy is suspended 2” above the water with a starting indicator light above it. The
dog is then placed at the 20’ white starting mark. When the light turns green the handler releases the dog, the time clock stops when the dog has pulled the toy from the Speed Retrieve bracket.
dog

photo courtesy: http://rideauriverdockdogs.com

Extreme Vertical – this event is essentially a “high jump” for dogs. The dog starts off at the 20’ mark on the dock & jumps up to grab a bumper toy extended out 8’ from the end of the dock over the water. The starting height for Extreme Vertical is 4’6” & goes up in 2”increments as competition progresses.
big air
Iron Dog – Iron Dog is similar to a triathlon. Dogs that are registered as an Iron Dog, will have their best score in each of the three disciplines from the event (Big Air, Speed Retrieve, Extreme Vertical) calculated from a points table. The goal is to achieve the highest total points.
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