Dock diving, also known as dock jumping, is a dog sport that has become the fastest-growing canine sport in the past few decades. It is an ideal sport for dogs who love leaping into the pools or soaring through the air to fetch their favorite toy.
Dock diving is a combination of sprinting, leaping, and swimming. During the competition, the dog zooms across a platform before leaping into the pool or the dock. Finally, the dog retrieves the toy. The pup that launches or covers the longest distance before splashing into the water body wins the competition.
In this article, you will get to know why some dog breeds are better than others at dock diving as compared to others.
Best Dog Breeds for Dock Diving
Choosing the right dog breed for dock diving can level up your experience in this sport. While selecting the right dog for competition you have to consider a few things.
Select dog breeds with high energy levels and strong work ethics.
Make sure the dog fits well with your lifestyle as the dog needs exercise and mental stimulation off the dock as well.
Spend some time with the breed before adopting them. It will help you get a real feel of what living with them is like.
This article will help you explore 7 best dock diving breeds.
1. Labrador Retriever
Breed Profile
Height: 21 to 25 inches
Weight: 55 to 80 pounds
Life Expectancy: 11 to 13 years
Labrador Retrievers top our list for best dock divers due to their innate love for swimming and retrieving. Their thick and water-repellent coats of these webbed feet dogs allow them to dock dive like a pro. Your Lab should be older than 6 months to participate in the game. Their bushy “otter tail” also aids in swimming.
To train your dog for dock diving, lead him to the dock’s edge. Throw his favorite toy in the water and then encourage him to jump in water. Once your Lab jumps in, move him to the starting point, around 6 feet from the edge of the water. Then release your dog to fetch the toy thrown in water.
Labrador Retrievers are medium sized dogs with a stocky and muscular build. They have broad heads, expressive eyes, and floppy ears. They are easily trainable, eager to please, and love top play. They are high energy dogs that require a considerable amount of exercise to stay healthy.
2. Australian Shepherd
Breed Profile
Height: 18 to 23 inches
Weight: 40 to 65 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Australian Shepherd is another dog breed perfect for dock diving. They are high energy dogs that require a lot of exercise. Their athletic nature and eager to please makes them suitable for this sport.
Australian Shepherds can become destructive when they get bored or do not get enough exercise. They have strong herding instincts. Australian Shepherds also have a double layered water resistant coat. The coat does not let water reach their skin while swimming.
Aussies are high-drive super intelligent dogs. Apart from being a pro at dock diving, these dogs can make excellent companions if you love taking long walks or hiking. Australian Shepherds have a lifespan of around 12 to 15 years.
3. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Breed Profile
Height: 21 to 26 inches
Weight: 55 to 80 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Chesapeake Bay Retriever or Chessies are sturdy and smart pups. This high energy breed excels at dog sports like dock diving. They are independent dogs and can be a bit stubborn which makes them unsuitable for novice dog owners.
Due to their natural affinity for water and ability to retrieve, they do quite well at swimming and fetching the toy thrown in water. Before subjecting your Chessie to the high intensity sport, introduce them to the feel of water.
Then, familiarize them with the target that is either suspended at the other end of the pool or thrown in it. The dog must not necessarily catch the target because it is only used to motivate the dog. Apart from dock diving, Chessies are used to hunt waterfowl near iced-over water bodies, says PetMD.
4. Poodle
Breed Profile
Height: 18 to 24 inches
Weight: 40 to 70 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Highly intelligent and versatile dogs, Poodles excel at many dog sports including dock diving. All poodles, including Standard and Miniature Poodles, possess wonderful swimming ability. Their coat can adapt to water and will cord if allowed to grow naturally.
According to the American Kennel Club, the breed name “poodle” comes from a German word “pudel” which means “to splash in water.” In France, poodles are called “duck dog” because they were originally bred to retrieve ducks and waterfowl for hunters.
Poodles do not shed much but require regular grooming. They are vulnerable to anxiety if not mentally stimulated properly. Poodles thrive in active households that provide enough stimulation and training.
5. Golden Retriever
Breed Profile
Height: 21.5 to 24 inches
Weight: 55 to 75 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Golden Retrievers’ water retrieving skills and innate love for swimming makes them one of the best dock diving breeds. Swimming involves only a part of dock diving. The dogs with an inherent desire to jump in water do best when it comes to this sport, and Goldies are one of them.
Goldies possess all the skills desired for dog diving including agility, power, and strong hind legs. They are the medium sized dogs having a height of 21 to 24 inches. Golden Retrievers are the good-natured dogs.
These versatile pups do equally well in family settings. These are the trustworthy dogs with an outgoing nature and a friendly disposition. Golden Retrievers are vulnerable to health problems like hip dysplasia and cancer.
6. Border Collie
Breed Profile
Height: 18 to 22 inches
Weight: 30 to 55 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
The Einstein’s of the dog kingdom, Border Collies are super-smart dogs with a high drive. They love taking mental and physical challenges and have athletic personality. These traits make them ideal for dock diving.
Border Collies are highly energetic dogs with an eager to please. They are the versatile dogs that behave well around children and other pets, when introduced properly. That is why they make excellent family pets.
Border Collies can become destructive if not stimulated properly. Their strong work ethic can be too much for the inexperienced owners sometimes.
7. Boston Terrier
Breed Profile
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 12 to 25 pounds
Life Expectancy: 11 to 13 years
The winner of 2016 North America Diving Dog competition, Boston Terriers are the playful dogs with charming personalities. Boston’s love for water and ability to swim make them a pro at dock diving. This dog jumps farther than many other large dog breeds.
Their happy, friendly, and affectionate nature makes them ideal family pets as well. You can keep your Boston Terrier happy and healthy as long as you fulfill its exercise needs. Boston Terrier are the strong willed dogs.
However, they suffer from brachycephaly, which means having a small and flat nose. Due to this, they can experience breathing difficulties. According to PDSA, these dogs have a life expectancy of around 10 years.
Conclusion
Several dog breeds excel at dog sports like dock diving due to their physical characteristics, intelligence, and high drive. The article highlights versatile docks that are ideal dock divers as well as excellent family pets.
Are you planning to take your dog to the next dock diving competition? Train them properly, take good care of them, and lastly, do not forget to keep their favorite toy!
