[Reddad2]

How do you measure a SplashDog or Dock Dog jump?

When watching a SplashDog's Super Fly or DockDog’s Big Air event, people always ask how they measure the distance of the dog’s jump? This is by far the most asked question by everyone watching for the first time and I will try to answer the question:

The measurement standards among various dog-jumping events were set when DockDogs, and ESPN hosted the first Big Air Dogs event during the Great Outdoor Games a few years ago. Most other jumping events, Purina for one, still measure a dog’s jump distance from the edge of the dock to where the dog’s front feet enter the water. All SplashDogs and DockDogs sanctioned events including Super Fly and Big Air events like all the Super Retriever Series measure the official jump distance as being where the hind-end of the dog breaks the plane of the water’s surface, minus the tail. Because of a dog’s physical length this can mean a difference of 4 or 5 feet between a front measured jump (Purina's?) and a rear measured jump (SplashDogs/DockDogs). A front measured jump of 20 feet, one can do the math and find the jump is actually a 15-16 foot jump using the SplashDog/DockDog standard.

The objective of the sport and of SplashDog's/DockDog's is to make this a performance competition like track and field’s Long Jump. By measuring from the edge of the dock they create a single standard from which to measure, and by measuring to the rear of the dog, minus the tail, can they measure the true distance the dog jumped without non-jump factors like how big the dog is. To make the point, think of a Irish wolfhound jumping against a 45 lb lab! Say that from the rear of the dogs both jumped the same distance, but if we used a front measured standard the wolfhound would always win simply because of its size! SplashDogs and DockDogs objective is to make this a performance sport that demands that they measure from the edge of the dock to the rear most part of the dog (not including the tail) to take away all unfair advantages not associated to the jump distance itself. I hope I have cleared this subject up for everyone and hope you enjoy my postings.

[Sassy Girl]

Purina has the least accurate form of measuring...they allow the dogs to skid somewhat in the water prior to making a measurement....

[Maddie's Mom]

As a side not, I signed Jake and Zoe up for their first ever Splash Dogs event in March.
We can not wait!

[Sassy Girl]

Hey Anne that's great! Make sure to let registration know that you may need some help and they'll hook you up w/Wendy or Dave, they can give you some tips on getting both of them in the water and off the dock...

Big BUMMER....I was supposed to go to Salt Lake to work the event but have our first flyball tournament of the season here in Madera so will have to miss meeting you!

[Maddie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Sassy Girl Hey Anne that's great! Make sure to let registration know that you may need some help and they'll hook you up w/Wendy or Dave, they can give you some tips on getting both of them in the water and off the dock... Big BUMMER....I was supposed to go to Salt Lake to work the event but have our first flyball tournament of the season here in Madera so will have to miss meeting you!

Thanks Sassy... Will do!

And that is a big bummer! I would have loved to meet you, Twizzy and the rest of your pack...

[Reddad2]

Small world, one never knows who they will meet along the way. Don't get on this forum very often. But try to contribute when I can. Don't know much about pit's so have to write about other things. Was planning on making Coata Mesa mine & Rugers first event, BUT, trying to raise enough money for Andy that it might push back our first time until June or so? Enjoy your weekend--

[Sassy Girl]

aaaaah - your Rugers Dad! Very cool! I'm Sassy Girl on all the boards!