What is Quadruped and how to get started with this discipline?

What is the main goal of Quadruped?

The main goal of this discipline is to throw the disc as far as possible so that the dog can catch it. If the dog does not catch the disc, the throw does not count.

Is it a mixed competition or are there separate categories for women and men?

In Quadruped, the categories are separate. Men and women race separately because men have more strength and throw farther than women. What’s interesting, though, is that in the Czech Republic, the opposite is true: many women throw farther than men.

How does a race take place? Is it preceded by a participant qualification?

In each race, there is a qualifying round where the competitor has one attempt without a dog. Only throws that land on the marked field count. Competitors whose disc landed outside the marked area are given 0 meters in the qualification. Based on the qualification performances, teams are divided into groups and the order of competitors with dogs is determined. The final number of groups is announced by the organizer before the start of the competition. Depending on the number of starting competitors, it is possible to create three to five groups. Grouping is done starting with teams with the shortest attempts in qualifying. The team with the shortest throw in the qualification starts first in the 1st group, the team with the second shortest throw starts first in the 2nd group, etc. The best teams then start in groups last. One finalist from each semi-final group will advance. All teams that did not advance from the semi-final groups directly to the final have a chance to compete in the “last chance” round for one final place.

How does it go from there?

Each team has one regular round (three throws) in the reverse order of the qualification. Last chance throws count towards the longest throws of the individual teams as well as records. Depending on the number of semi-final groups, four to six teams take part in the final, and this takes place in the same way as the semi-final group. The final ranking of the finalists is determined by their performance in the final. The rest of the competitors is then ranked according to the longest valid attempt of each team during the entire competition (qualifying round does not count).

Who assesses the performances?

The discipline described above is judged by one main judge. There are also two helpers on the field. One watches over foot faults and the other assists the referee in determining the distance.

Are there any special rules for this discipline?

Yes. One of the main ones is, for example, that each competitor may participate with only one dog. On the other hand, two different competitors can share one dog. The dog may cross the starting line before the disc is thrown, this step is called free start, but the dog must continue to move forward until the disc is thrown. It is not allowed to send the dog to the field to wait for the disc. So if the dog stops or starts moving back before the disc is thrown, the attempt is invalid. However, the rules are relatively extensive and all can be found on the website of the Czech Discdog Club.

Can newcomers also enter the race?

Definitely. Many races also host the FUN category, where newcomers or players who throw shorter distances compete.

What are the levels of these races?

Quadruped has no levels. It is only divided into women, men, FUN women and FUN men.

Does the dog have to meet any special requirements before entering the race?

The dog must be fit to run such long distances.

Is there a pre-race qualification or can anyone take part in it?

You only need to qualify for the Czech Championship. To participate in the Czech Quadruped Championship, you need to demonstrate a valid attempt at any qualifying competition of at least 45 meters for women and 50 meters for men.