The sport of dock diving is a competitive activity in which dogs run to the end of a thirty-five to forty foot dock and jump off in pursuit of a target that is either suspended over a long pool or flung far out into it. Prizes are given for dogs who make the longest leap as well as the highest. Dock Diving, as a canine sport, was introduced to the world during the Incredible Dog Challenge in 1997, and it grew quickly from there. There are several Dock Dog groups that have formed throughout the United States, and competitors can find plenty of opportunities to showcase their dog’s talent. German Longhaired Pointers, with their a natural affinity for the water and a serious drive to retrieve, are likely to enjoy and excel at this sport.
The German Longhaired Pointer breed has loyally served as a hunting companion for hundreds of years, and they are no less skilled at their jobs today than they were when the average hunter used a bow and arrows to dispatch their game. These dogs are all-around hunting companions, able to track, point, and flush, as well as retrieving both waterfowl and game birds that live on land. There are several entertaining and diverting games and activities that you can employ either to prepare your young pup for the hunt or to keep your dog in practice during the off season without encountering too much expense.
Hunting dogs such as the German Longhaired Pointer have a great deal of energy and drive, and when they are not hunting, they still need an appropriate outlet for that energy. Flyball is a fast-paced dog sport that takes fetch to a higher level in which teams of four dogs race down a flyball track relay-style. Flyball tracks consist of several hurdles, based on the height of the smallest dog on the team, and a flyball box, which the dog activates to get a tennis ball to retrieve. This sport helps to keep your dog both mentally and physically fit without requiring as much training as sports like agility or freestyle dance. Although lessons and joining a club will be of moderate expense, the payoff is priceless!