Canine Freestyle
Canine Freestyle (or dances with dogs) is a contemporary dog sport that incorporates a mixture of dog tricks, dog obedience and dance- all performed to music.
Have a question about canine freestyle? Enquire using the form below:
Any dogs can participate in canine freestyle- unlike other dog sports such as dog agility (which requires dogs that have good agility, speed and coordination). However dogs commonly seen in the ring include:
Border Collie
All about Border Collies
Poodles
All about Poodles.
Golden Retrievers
All about Golden Retrievers.
German Shepherd Dogs
All about GSDs.
Belgian Malinois
All about the Belgian Malinois.
Australian Shepherds
All about Australian Shepherds.
Papillons
All about Papillon dogs.
Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)
All about Shelties.
There are so many tricks out there that could be incorporated into a routine, all it takes is a little imagination!
What follows is a list of some easy-to-teach dog tricks often seen in dances with dogs routines:
- Sit Pretty
- Bow
- Spin
- Circle Handler
- Circle Handler (Backwards)
- Leap (jump straight up in air)
- Jump through/over handler’s arms
- reverse away from handler
- turn and back up towards handler
- forward roll
- roll over
- crawl
- and many more
- Dogs refuse a trick (or are cued by the handler more than once before completing it)
- Exiting the ring before the routine is over (unless handler or dog accidentally steps outside the ring during the performance)
- Defecating or urinating whilst in the ring
ANKC Canine Freestyle Competition Rules
As of 2019, the ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council) have officially updated the Rules For The Conduct Of Dances With Dogs Competitions.
Download the new rule handbook below:
Includes:
- Requirements of DWD and HTM routines
- Titles & Rings
- Exhibit Requirements
- Competing
- Withdrawl/Removal of a dog
- Competing
And much more