Canine athletes make history in New York

ERIN – Some Ruff, a local canine fly ball team, took centre stage at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York on Jan. 31.

“It was very exciting,” said team member Shari Hunter. “It’s the second year they’ve had it, and we’re the only Canadian team to be invited.”

The team, made up of members from all over southwestern Ontario, finished second in the top division.

Anchored by Erin’s Shari Hunter and “Rabbit,” a whippet mix, the group also set the fastest run time at 16.28 seconds.

Canine flyball is a fast-paced, high-energy team relay sport that features  four dogs racing against an opposing team. Each dog jumps over four hurdles, triggers a spring-loaded box to release a tennis ball, catches it, and returns over the hurdles. 

The first team to have all four dogs complete the course without errors wins.

“It’s like drag racing for dogs,” said Hunter.

“Basically, what we teach them is a swimmer’s turn off the box to grab the ball, to bring that back, and then the next dog goes.”

She added, “If there’s errors or a dropped ball, it’s a flag [almost like a penalty] where the dog has to re-run.”

Asked about her time in New York, Hunter told the Advertiser, “It was cold, it was exciting and it’s expensive. But it’s an experience that you don’t forget.”

Aside from private training sessions at home, the team travels once or twice a week to train at DoggieLicious Training and Event Centre in Barrie. 

Plus, “We all work at home on our own by just keeping our dogs fit [and] watching what they’re eating,” said Hunter.

The team consists of three members from Erin, three from Ajax, four from Hamilton and three from Barrie.

“We have ... sport mixes, which are your border collie whippet mixes, we have Jack Russell mixes, we have Boston terriers, we have Australian shepherds and corgi’s,” said Hunter.

She noted the smallest dog she has ever seen compete is a Chihuahua with the largest dog being a great Dane or a Saint Bernard.

Dogs cannot compete until they are at least 16 months old, but training can start earlier. 

“Training wise, we have Tackle, he is our youngest dog right now. He’s a six-month-old Boston terrier,” said Hunter.

 “Our oldest dog that we have running is 12 or 13. So as long as they’re in shape, they can keep going.”

Asked if the team is looking for more members, Hunter replied, “Absolutely. We’re free to train anybody. Because the more dogs you have, the more people you have. 

“It’s a great socialization. It’s like a second family to us ... we spend most of our weekends together.”

The team is gearing up to compete at the Flyball Open World Cup in Norwich, England on May 30 and 31. Eight countries will compete with a total of roughly 24 teams. 

Some Ruff is currently working to raise money for the trip and welcomes donations of both money and raffle items. 

For more information or to connect with Hunter, visit, srcflyball.ca or email  shari_hunter@hotmail.com.