First and foremost, it is important to determine if a performance event is a good fit for you and your molosser dog. Things to consider are you and your dog’s personalities and what a realistic time commitment is for you.
This following is a list, with basic descriptions, of the most popular available sports. It is simply a place to start.
Obedience and Rally: The next step up from regular home-obedience, but with a similar beginning skill set. Dog and handler work as a team, dog complies willingly and happily with the handler as they execute various exercises. Rally is very similar, but involves the handler reading and executing exercises on various signs. Rally, specifically, can be good for dogs that are not super social with dogs or people.
UKC
Cynosport
ASCA
Many of the protection sport venues also offer obedience-only titles.
Agility: An obstacle course for dogs, in which the dog races around the course, guided by you that is suitable for most temperament types. If your dog lacks confidence and/or is fearful of strangers, this can be a great confidence builder. Great for handlers who seek some action and aren’t afraid to look a little silly at times.
UKC
Cynosport
ASCA
A sample of available titles: NAP, NJP,NFP, NA, NAJ, NF, OAP, OJP, OFP, OA, OAJ, OF, AXP, AJP, XFP, AX, AXJ, XF.
Therapy Work: Most often conducted in a hospital, nursing home or school where the dog is pet and loved on by many different people to provide comfort and companionship. Dogs must be social, confident and level headed. Self control can be difficult for high energy dogs, so your more laid-back dogs are generally a better fit. Great for people who love to have their dogs admired, are patient and enjoy being around other people.
TDI
A sample of available titles: TDI and THD. CGC, CGCA, CGCU can also be earned along the way.
Dock Diving: Dogs jump off a dock into water. Great for dogs who are highly toy-motivated and love water. Excellent for handlers who like excitement and don’t mind getting wet.
Dock Dogs
Splash Dogs
Ultimate Air Dogs
A sample of available titles: Various and they differ among organizations.
Lure Coursing: Dogs chase a lure, which is generally a plastic bag that waves enticingly in the wind, pulled around a course. Great for active dogs, especially those with high prey drive. Excellent for handlers who like excitement and lack time.
Minimum time commitment: no training necessary!
Organizations:
AKC
UKC
Local clubs, especially sight hound clubs, may also offer lure coursing.
A sample of available titles: CA, CAA CAX, CAX2
Protection Sports: Demanding competitive sport with many different venues. All venues test more than just a dog’s ability to protect; dogs must show high levels of obedience, demonstrate agility, and in some, show scenting abilities. Breakdown of the different sport's specifics may be found in an additional document. Dogs MUST be stable and confident, highly motivated and agile. Dogs that often show signs of nervousness or fear aggression are not suitable; please do not mistake these for protectiveness or drive. Great for competitive, detail oriented people.
MondioRing: USMRA
FrenchRing: NARA
Others: PSA, APPDA
A sample of available titles: IGP1-3, MR1-3, FR1-3, PSA1-3, NADF1-3
Nose Work: Detection style competition in which a dog searches, finds and indicates a scent. Great for dogs that are food-motivated and handlers seeking a low-impact sport and enjoy watching their dogs work.
NASCW
A sample of available titles: NW1-3
Barn Hunt: Dogs locate rats that are safely enclosed in aerated tubes hidden in a straw/hay bale maze. Good for dogs that are independent and natural “critterers” and handlers that just want to get out and do something and especially enjoy watching their dog “hunting”.
A sample of available titles: RATI, RATN, RATO, RATS, RATM
Flyball: A team relay race with jumps and a ball retrieve. Great for dogs that are highly toy (especially ball) motivated, fast and social with other dogs. Since this is a team sport and the dogs are run in succession and next to other teams, dogs that are fearful or aggressive toward other dogs may have a difficult time. Great for handlers who enjoy working in a team and are looking for excitement and the thrill of a relay style race.
A sample of available titles: FD, FDX, FDCh, FDCh-S, FDCh-G, FM, FMX, FMCh, ONYX
Once you determine which sport is best for you and your dog, the next thing to do is to seek out people in your area with experience in training and competing in your chosen venue. Internet searches are a good start but, if possible, word of mouth recommendations are best, even if those recommendations come from online forums.
Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts or substitutes for just going out and finding the right training group fit; this can be a trial and error process. Dog sport is about dogs, but it is also a hobby that you both should enjoy, so don’t underestimate the social aspect. Not to say that it is always fun; depending on your sport, it can be difficult and frustrating at times, but it should always be an enriching process for both of you.
This following is a list, with basic descriptions, of the most popular available sports. It is simply a place to start.
Obedience and Rally: The next step up from regular home-obedience, but with a similar beginning skill set. Dog and handler work as a team, dog complies willingly and happily with the handler as they execute various exercises. Rally is very similar, but involves the handler reading and executing exercises on various signs. Rally, specifically, can be good for dogs that are not super social with dogs or people.
- Minimum time commitment: approximately 3-4 hours a week. Example: 1 class per week and a little training at home. Rally is a great starting point because a dog with reasonable in-home obedience has most of the skills already and you can talk to your dog during the trial for the beginning level.
- Organizations
UKC
Cynosport
ASCA
Many of the protection sport venues also offer obedience-only titles.
Agility: An obstacle course for dogs, in which the dog races around the course, guided by you that is suitable for most temperament types. If your dog lacks confidence and/or is fearful of strangers, this can be a great confidence builder. Great for handlers who seek some action and aren’t afraid to look a little silly at times.
- Minimum time commitment: approximately 2-3 hours a week. Example: 1 class per week and some training at home.
- Organizations
UKC
Cynosport
ASCA
A sample of available titles: NAP, NJP,NFP, NA, NAJ, NF, OAP, OJP, OFP, OA, OAJ, OF, AXP, AJP, XFP, AX, AXJ, XF.
Therapy Work: Most often conducted in a hospital, nursing home or school where the dog is pet and loved on by many different people to provide comfort and companionship. Dogs must be social, confident and level headed. Self control can be difficult for high energy dogs, so your more laid-back dogs are generally a better fit. Great for people who love to have their dogs admired, are patient and enjoy being around other people.
- Minimum time commitment: approximately 1-2 hours a week. Example: 1 class per week and a little training at home. Once your dog is certified, the actual therapy visit schedule is up to you.
- Organization:
TDI
A sample of available titles: TDI and THD. CGC, CGCA, CGCU can also be earned along the way.
Dock Diving: Dogs jump off a dock into water. Great for dogs who are highly toy-motivated and love water. Excellent for handlers who like excitement and don’t mind getting wet.
- Minimum time commitment: seasonal in some states, average is about 1 or 2 classes per month, usually more in the beginning to get your dog used to the idea.
- Organizations
Dock Dogs
Splash Dogs
Ultimate Air Dogs
A sample of available titles: Various and they differ among organizations.
Lure Coursing: Dogs chase a lure, which is generally a plastic bag that waves enticingly in the wind, pulled around a course. Great for active dogs, especially those with high prey drive. Excellent for handlers who like excitement and lack time.
Minimum time commitment: no training necessary!
Organizations:
AKC
UKC
Local clubs, especially sight hound clubs, may also offer lure coursing.
A sample of available titles: CA, CAA CAX, CAX2
Protection Sports: Demanding competitive sport with many different venues. All venues test more than just a dog’s ability to protect; dogs must show high levels of obedience, demonstrate agility, and in some, show scenting abilities. Breakdown of the different sport's specifics may be found in an additional document. Dogs MUST be stable and confident, highly motivated and agile. Dogs that often show signs of nervousness or fear aggression are not suitable; please do not mistake these for protectiveness or drive. Great for competitive, detail oriented people.
- Minimum time commitment: 10-15 hours per week. Example: Club training twice a week, training on your own 2-3 times a week.
- Organizations:
MondioRing: USMRA
FrenchRing: NARA
Others: PSA, APPDA
A sample of available titles: IGP1-3, MR1-3, FR1-3, PSA1-3, NADF1-3
Nose Work: Detection style competition in which a dog searches, finds and indicates a scent. Great for dogs that are food-motivated and handlers seeking a low-impact sport and enjoy watching their dogs work.
- Minimum time commitment: approximately 1-2 hours a week. Example: 1 class per week and a little training at home.
- Organizations:
NASCW
A sample of available titles: NW1-3
Barn Hunt: Dogs locate rats that are safely enclosed in aerated tubes hidden in a straw/hay bale maze. Good for dogs that are independent and natural “critterers” and handlers that just want to get out and do something and especially enjoy watching their dog “hunting”.
- Minimum time commitment: no training necessary (for initial title).
- Organizations
A sample of available titles: RATI, RATN, RATO, RATS, RATM
Flyball: A team relay race with jumps and a ball retrieve. Great for dogs that are highly toy (especially ball) motivated, fast and social with other dogs. Since this is a team sport and the dogs are run in succession and next to other teams, dogs that are fearful or aggressive toward other dogs may have a difficult time. Great for handlers who enjoy working in a team and are looking for excitement and the thrill of a relay style race.
- Minimum time commitment: approximately 2-3 hours a week. Example: 1 class per week and some training at home.
- Organization:
A sample of available titles: FD, FDX, FDCh, FDCh-S, FDCh-G, FM, FMX, FMCh, ONYX
Once you determine which sport is best for you and your dog, the next thing to do is to seek out people in your area with experience in training and competing in your chosen venue. Internet searches are a good start but, if possible, word of mouth recommendations are best, even if those recommendations come from online forums.
Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts or substitutes for just going out and finding the right training group fit; this can be a trial and error process. Dog sport is about dogs, but it is also a hobby that you both should enjoy, so don’t underestimate the social aspect. Not to say that it is always fun; depending on your sport, it can be difficult and frustrating at times, but it should always be an enriching process for both of you.