January 20th, 2012 | 
Author: Flyball began in the ‘60’s when a group of dog trainers created a scent hurdle race. Someone would stand at the end of the jump line and throw tennis balls to the dogs as they came across the jump line. It didn’t take long for the trainers, one of which was Herbert Wagner, to create a ball launching device, and that is where the flyball box was created. Wagner appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and the flyball sport was introduced to the rest of the dog community.
Flyball consists of two teams competing against each other with four dogs on each team. They race side-by-side over a 51 foot long course. The race is run in relay fashion where each dog must go over the jumps, trigger a flyball box, retrieve the ball that was thrown and then return back across the jumps. Each dog must do this course, but the next dog in line can’t start until the previous dog has returned back from completing the course. The first team to have all their dogs finish the course in the fastest time wins.
The jump height of the hurdles is determined by the smallest dog. He is measured at the withers, and that measurement is rounded down to the nearest inch and subtracted by 5 inches to get the correct jump height. The maximum jump height cannot be greater than 14 inches.
Timing for flyball is determined by the Electronic Judging System. This system uses lights and infrared timing sensors. Before electronics timing devices, all times were done by a stop watch. Technology has given flyball competitors the ability to track their dogs’ times to the thousandth of a second. Most team run all four of their dogs through the flyball course in less than 20 seconds.
If you have an energetic dog that loves to play fetch, is extremely intelligent and could use a little energy burnt off of him, flyball should be your sport. Flyball can be a great bonding experience and a lot of fun for you and your dog.