The sun was shining. The surf was pounding. A flyball tournament was being held in Rohr Park, San Diego, California over May 31- June 1, 2003. The host team, Run Amuck, had some interesting lunch time games planned for each day. On Saturday there was a hotdog retrieve; on Sunday they held height dog races. The height dog is the shortest dog on the team and his measurement at the withers sets the jump heights for the rest of the team. The jump heights are set four inches lower than the measurement at the withers, with 8 inches being the lowest jump height. Racing a team of four height dogs would be quite a unique and fun event.

Lunch time came and the height dogs gathered on the field. Four teams formed with Jack Russells, Bichons, tiny mix breeds, Toy Poodles and a team of three Staffords led by a tiny Cattle Dog. The other three teams looked on in dismay. Calls of “you’re racing ringers” rang out, as well as “no fair” and “you guys are way too intimidating!”. In due course, the racing format was decided with two brackets and the best two out of three heats deciding the winner of each bracket. The winners of each bracket then would race each other for the overall win. “Let’s race” is the cry as the electronic timing lights begin their countdown – yellow – yellow – green. Tiny dogs race down and back at their top speed, which is still quite slow because they are all so small. Three heats finished and the first racing bracket winner is decided. Then the Stafford/ACD team takes the field. They warm up to the shocked expressions on their competitions’ faces; passing nose to nose at the start/finish line like they’ve been racing together for years.

The first heat is won in easy style by the Stafford team as is the second heat. A third “fun” heat is run at the request of the other team. The hot temperatures on the racing field lent themselves to a short break in the dog pool for the dogs before the bracket winners race each other.

Back from the pool, the Stafford/ACD team again lines up like pros and are ready to race. A tiny Jack Russell breaks away from its handler on the opposing team, runs into the lane and barks at the Staffords.

Not a wise decision, but the racing Staffords keep their cool. The lights once again begin the countdown – yellow – yellow – green. The start dog, Harley, streaks away, hits the box, and returns; passing nose to nose at the start/finish line with the first Stafford, Bubbles. Bubbles flies off the box and back to the start line, passing nose to nose with the second Stafford, Klondike. And so on it goes. The fourth dog on the competition is just running to the box as the anchor Stafford, PJ, brings home the heat win.

The second heat begins but an early pass by Bubbles throws the win into question. She, however, is expertly handled and makes a nose-to-nose pass at the start/finish line for her makeup rerun as the competition’s Bichon anchor dog is approaching its flyball box. Go Bubbles go! Bubbles again flies off the box and streaks toward the finish line. The two dogs cross the finish line together. The competition is sure it has won and begins celebrating. The judge looks at the electronic timing lights. No “winners” light comes on in either lane. The judge looks to the score table where the score keeper stands up, and proclaimes in an awed voice, “it’s an exact tie!”. The onlookers cheer while the handlers look at each other in amazement. The HOME race continues to heat three in an attempt to find a race winner. The lights flash green and Harley streaks across the start line, to the box, back….but wait. She drops her ball before she reaches the fourth jump which causes Bubbles to get to the start/finish line first. This results in both dogs having to rerun. The race continues as the start handler tries to get Harley back across the finish line before Bubbles returns. Klondike and PJ, in turn, race hard in an attempt to keep the heat alive. Harley completes her rerun with Bubbles passing close to begin her rerun. The other team is ecstatic, cheering on their little Bichon to win the heat.  She does win the heat; but only by one jump - ten feet. The score now stands at Staffords – one; competition – one; tie – one.

Harley and the Staffords are ready to go another heat to declare a true winner. However, the other team’s dogs are done. The handlers will not race them any more in the warm temperature. And so, the height dog racing ends for the day. Good fun was had by all and people who normally paid no attention to the Stafford height dogs became fans.

All three Staffords went on to race out the day with their respective teams and showed little effect of the extra racing over their rest period. If anything, they raced faster. However, the opposition certainly had more respect for their prowess and drive.

Until next time race fans. Let’s race!

Alisa Romaine

Captain, Heat Wave Flyball

Tempest Kennel, USA