Dock Diving is a relatively new sport that has dogs jumping and splashing! It first appeared as an organized canine sport in 2007 and has since exploded. This is an amazing sport for dogs that love to fetch, swim, or both and titles are offered to any breed or mixed breed. The UKC began giving Dock Diving titles in 2009; the AKC in 2014. It takes place on a stationary 35’ to 40’ (11-12m) dock that is placed over a pool that is about 8’ (2.5m) long and at least 4’ (1.2m) deep.

The dog may begin its dive anywhere along the dock, and the handler may either hold the dog and throw a toy into the water for the dog to fetch or the handler throws a toy towards the water and releases the dog from a “stay” to fetch. The first technique is excellent for faster dogs while the second gives a dog that likes to jump up more space to show off its skills.

How a dog and handler team win a dock diving competition depends on the ruling body of the competition, but they all have similar rules. The ultimate goal of the sport is to see which pooch can jump the farthest for their size class. The distance of the jump is measured either from the base of the dog’s tail or the end of its nose as it enters the water. Measurements are made by both judges and digital imaging. Each round consists of two jumps, with the longest distance being recorded as the score for that round. The dog doesn’t have to retrieve the toy in order to have their jump qualify.

Recorded Dock Diving jumps have ranged from 9’11” (3.02m) all the way to 25’ (about 7.5m.) Currently, one of the longest jump records was set in December 2015 by a Lab named “Storie” was jumped an amazing 30’7” (about 10m)! Most Dock Diving clubs divide competitors by size: Open classes are dogs 16” tall and up, while Lap dogs are under 16”. Some clubs have “toy” classes, as well. The smaller dogs are naturally judged on shorter jump distances. Any dog, regardless of size, is permitted to wear a life vest where necessary.


Written By: Emerald Dragons Kennels (#829402)

Afghan Hound, Africanis, Aidi, Ainu Dog, Airedale Terrier, Akbash Dog, Akita, Akita Inu, Alaskan Husky, Alaskan Malamute, American Bulldog, American Cocker Spaniel, American Indian Dog, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American White Shepherd, Anatolian Shepherd, Appenzeller Mountain Dog, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Koolie, Australian Shepherd, Azawakh Hound, Azores Cattle Dog, Basenji, Bearded Collie, Beauceron, Bedlington Terrier, Belgian Laekenois, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Berger Picard, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black and Tan Coonhound, Black Mouth Cur, Bluetick Coonhound, Boerboel, Border Collie, Borzoi, Bouvier des Flandres, Boxer, Boykin Spaniel, Bracco Italiano, Brittany, Canaan Dog, Canadian Eskimo Dog, Cane Corso, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Carolina Dog, Catahoula Leopard Dog, Chart Polski, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chinook, Clumber Spaniel, Croatian Sheepdog, Curly Coated Retriever, Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, Dalmatian, Doberman Pinscher, Dogo Argentino, Dutch Shepherd, English Cocker Spaniel, English Foxhound, English Setter, English Shepherd, English Springer Spaniel, Eurasier, Field Spaniel, Finnish Lapphund, Finnish Spitz, Flat Coated Retriever, German Pinscher, German Shepherd Dog, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Giant Schnauzer, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Great Dane, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Greek Harehound, Greenland Dog, Greyhound, Harrier, Hovawart, Ibizan Hound, Icelandic Sheepdog, Irish Setter, Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Wolfhound, Italian Greyhound, Jamthund, Kai Ken, Karelian Bear Dog, Kelpie, Kerry Blue Terrier, Kooikerhondje, Korean Jindo, Labrador Retriever, Lagotto Romagnolo, Lapponian Herder, Large Munsterlander, Leonberger, Maremma Sheepdog, Miniature Australian Shepherd, Mudi, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Norwegian Buhund, Norwegian Elkhound, Norwegian Lundehund, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Old English Sheepdog, Otterhound, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Pharaoh Hound, Plott, Pointer, Porcelaine, Portuguese Water Dog, Puli, Redbone Coonhound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rottweiler, Rough Collie, Saarloos Wolfdog, Saint Bernard, Saluki, Samoyed, Scottish Deerhound, Shetland Sheepdog, Shiba Inu, Shikoku, Siberian Husky, Silken Windhound, Sloughi, Smooth Collie, Spinone Italiano, Stabyhoun, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Standard Poodle, Sussex Spaniel, Swedish Vallhund, Taiwan Dog, Thai Ridgeback Dog, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel, West Siberian Laika, Whippet, Xoloitzcuintle