Haley Vines Outdoor Collection | Tidewater DockDogs

Special Feature

Tidewater DockDogs

Saturday August 13, and Sunday August 14

Free to the Public

Two days of jumping, flying, splashing, swimming canines and YOUR DOG CAN DO IT TOO!

Richmond International Raceway & The Virginia Outdoor Sportsman’s Show will be the site of Tidewater DockDogs third official sanctioned event of the year, with two days of competition. Sure to provide yet another way for residents of Virginia to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

DockDogs is open to any dog that likes water and fun—regardless of breed, size, shape, or ability. All dogs are welcome, and those new to the sport can introduce their dogs to this fast-growing sport, and get tips on coaching and encouraging their pooches from Tidewater DockDogs members.

Fun and rewarding for both human and canine, the rules of DockDogs are simple:

  1. only one person may compete at a time;
  2. only one dog may compete at a time;
  3. only one floatable object may be used to throw.

“This event at The Virginia Outdoor Sportsman’s Show will be lots of fun, and will be full of new interested teams as well as some teams that have been participating in DockDogs for several years,” says Tidewater DockDogs President, Christopher Moore. “Most will just want to see if this exciting sport may be a good fit for their dog. Give these dogs a dock, a body of water, and a toy to fetch, and they think they can fly.”

Teams will compete in 3 disciplines known as Big Air, Extreme Vertical, & Speed Retrieve.

Big Air is the long jump equivalent for canine athletes. At speeds over 20 mph, Big Air dogs catapult off the end of a 40-foot dock into a 28,000-gallon pool to retrieve a floatable object, like their favorite toy. Jump distances are measured from the end of the dock to where the base of the dog’s tail breaks the water.

Extreme Vertical is a high jump contest in which the dog launches upward in order to knock down a bumper suspended over the water. Runs are shorter, and speed is reduced in order to achieve maximum height about 8 feet from the dock.

Speed Retrieve is a sport where teams race against the clock. Each competing dog runs, jumps, swims, and retrieves an object located on an extender at the end of the pool, at a distance of 58 feet from the starting block on the dock.

Not sure if your dog will jump? Register for the Open Dock Practice and you will have access to the dock and pool and club members for helpful advice on how to get started. Additional practice opportunities will take place between events throughout the day for all registered teams.