Carefree canines compete in flyball contest

Jace Radke

Monday, Nov. 2, 1998 | 11:25 a.m.

Streak and his coach Katy Kaylor have been winning races together for a long time.

Both are part of the Western regional champion flyball team, Touch N Go, which sponsored this weekend's fourth annual Jumps N Jackpots flyball tournament in Las Vegas.

Streak and Taylor were victorious as usual, but instead of a night of celebrating on the Strip Streak would probably prefer a victory pet and a bowl of kibble.

Streak is a border collie, and one of over 200 dogs from 59 teams that gathered in Dog Fancier's Park at 5800 E. Flamingo Road on Saturday and Sunday to compete in flyball.

"This is the biggest turnout that we've ever had," said Kaylor, who organizes the event. "We have teams from Nevada, California, Canada, Texas, Washington and Illinois."

A flyball team consists of four dogs that race over four 8 to 16 inch hurdles, snatch a tennis ball and then race back over the hurdles to their masters. The teams run the course like a relay with another dog hitting the course as soon as its teammate bounds into its master.

The teams are placed into divisions based on the team's overall speed and the fastest team in each division wins.

"The whole course is 102 feet from start to finish," said Elaine Geraitge, an event coordinator. "The fastest dogs can get over the hurdles, grab the tennis ball, stop and turn around and get back over the hurdles in about four seconds."

The flyball world record is 16.3 seconds, said Kaylor, who has been participating in the sport for nine years.

"It's a chance for people to have fun with their dogs, and the dogs love it," Kaylor said. "Streak is my best bud and he has a lot of fun out here."

Having fun with their animals and being around others that share the same feelings about their four-legged sprinters is why Diane Blackwood makes the trip to the competition from San Diego with her dog, Farli, and her team, Catchers on the Fly.

"Most dog sports are individual, but in flyball it's a team sport and there is a lot of camaraderie," Blackwood said. "You come out here and you can see that the dogs are itching to get out there and play."

Sam Ford, of the Houston Flyball Club, drove to the event from Houston and said that he and his dog Missy will be back next year.

"We have about 20 dogs on our team and we like to come out to this event," Ford said. "My dog Missy rides shotgun with me and we have a good time at these competitions."

Ford's team has raised money for Houston area churches and animal shelters with flyball competitions, and said that he likes to participate in events that raise money for charity.

The Jumps N Jackpots tournament will donate the proceeds from the event to Las Vegas area organizations that will help to protect the valley's dog population, Kaylor said.