What is Quadruped and how to get started with this discipline?
On our blog, we have already written about dogfrisbee, a sport where dogs catch flying discs. Its advantage is that both the dog and the owner play sports together. Dogfrisbee is also a great sport for its diversity – it includes various disciplines that differ in content and difficulty. Thanks to that, everyone can choose their favourite. The first discipline that competitors can experience in Dogfrisbee is Quadruped, as introduced to us by the competitor Martina Bolehovská.
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.
Heroparkour is a great sport for problem dogs. Since a great part of problem behaviour has roots directly in timidity. Such dog is unable to handle more complex situations of ordinary life due to fear. It doesn’t believe non-standard conditions.
The use of dogs in search and rescue (the so-called SAR) is an integral part of natural disasters, mass accidents or, for example, when search for missing people. Do you know, when the first dog rescuers appeared?
Every dog has its individuality and is unique in its own way, so even the period of growing up can differ significantly in every individual. I know dog owners, who didn’t know what to do with puberty excesses of their otherwise loved four-legged...
A handy assistant not only for dog owners, who need to work on training with their dog, but also for sport cynologists who, on the other hand, are refining the discipline called the “track” with their dogs. The original purpose of the long cord with a...
One dog isn’t enough for you and you’re looking for an excuse that will help you vindicate having a whole pack at home? One option is to become a musher - a dog sled racer. For adrenaline lovers, who’d love to ride through the landscape on a sled using...
Of course there are more apps, we chose only the ones for you that intrigued us the most. Have you tried an app or have you got a favourite one that you could recommend to others?
It’s like a rollercoaster ride with outside temperatures this winter, once you’re up and then back down. All the more attention should we pay to the care for our dogs. Since it’s not only us, people, who don’t take well to the changing temperatures.
Unfortunately, in the life of dog owners, even unpleasant situations occur, which aren’t only an intervention in the life of your dog partner, but also affect your wallet. For example, if the dog gets hit by a car or it is otherwise injured and the...
With changes of the temperatures accompanying the autumn, higher demands are put on the organism and thus its immune system. That’s why it’s not unreasonable to start and boost the immunity already now. Remember, that prevention is always better and...
Before we get to winter sports that you can do with your four-legged buddies it’s good to remember the care that you shouldn’t forget about in this period.
If you’re planning to go abroad, even just for a few days, then definitely don’t forget about the animal’s passport. When you’re packing this dog passport, make sure that you check off-hand, that your four-legged friend has all its vaccinations valid....
Kittens, as well as a number of other animal offspring, are born blind. Their eyes open around the tenth day of their life and only after another week, they are fully functional. Even though the sight in a cat belongs among the best-developed senses,...