Rank

Toy Poodle

Being full of life and energetic, he will fetch anything you throw for him but his first love is the ball!  While Preslie is very loving, affectionate and definitely a momma's boy, he is also a dominate little guy.  In other words, when he is playing with his ball, don't even think about trying to steal it from him!  He will snatch it up in a hurry.

He likes to play a game with the ball, it's called rolling it under a chair or sofa, where he can't get to it.  He will stay starring at that ball until his "mommy" gets it for him, and if "mommy" takes a while getting it for him, he will start howling!

He is the smallest height dog on his team at 10 3/4 inches tall and weighs 7lbs.  He rarely makes a mistake that causes a re-run.  If he does bobble the ball, he is consistent in getting the first jump to keep his run clean.

Kneeling on both knees, owner/handler Barbara Liebchen starts Preslie about 8 feet from the start line.  He races in a bandana and runs back for a food treat.  Sometimes Barbara sprays him different colors.

According to Barbara: "...our goal in Flyball is to race as long as Preslie wants to race and is enjoying himself...".

Aspen competed in his first tournament at the age of 1.  Up to that time, he had never really practiced with other dogs, no passing drills and he was bobbling a lot.  Well, he did great and came home with over 300 points.

In his racing career he has been met at the jumps by teammates dogs, crossed on numerous times, been chased by other dogs, stepped on by teammates dogs, and was actually bitten in the crating area.  He has had a very rough Flyball career.

According to Kim: "...Aspen loves sheep and has even been herding.  He has a nice outrun and will take sheep off a fence.  One time a ram decided that he didn't want to listen to such a small dog.  The ram was about to charge Aspen when Aspen jumped up and bit the ram’s nose.  From then on, the ram respected him.  The sheep were to the point they would hurdle each other trying to get away from this little monster.  Aspen may not be a good herding dog but he does enjoy teaching the sheep a lesson or two...".

Rose loved to retrieve anything, even as a puppy, and loved the game of Flyball.  She started her racing career at the age of 1 and was ball crazy right from the start.  Her favorite color was pink and if a blue ball was put in the box she would refuse to take it.

She retired from Flyball after 5 very successful racing years and since 1999 has been immensely enjoying her retirement in her new home.

Rose didn't have a swimmer's turn but her box turns were smooth and not awkward.  She always ran in the 2nd or 3rd position, double hopped between the jumps and returned for a food treat.

Rose very rarely missed the ball and mostly ran in the 6's, but occasionally went under that when she was in heavy competition.  

Her owner/handler, Wendy Porter, would have her standing on the ground, holding her back end and let her go from about 7-10 feet from the start line.  Rose raced naked, in a collar or in a harness and she didn't seem to care which.

According to Wendy: "...Rose loved the competition so much she would watch to see how far behind she was and then turn on the after burners to make sure she beat whoever she was racing against...".

Bentley loves his night-night toy (a flat fleece squeaky).  If he doesn’t have it to suck on at bedtime, he will dig violently at the covers.

Bentley doesn’t like baths or grooming at all and his favorite food is anything the other dogs are having!!

In addition to Flyball, Bentley is training for agility, and hopefully he will compete in early 2009.  He is also started in obedience.

Using a small Magic Sheltie ball, having a four-footed swimmer's turn and skimming over the jumps with little clearance, Bentley double strides between the jumps and runs in a modified puppy clip.  He can run in any position but loves the second position best.

Bentley was rolled by an American Foxhound in his third tournament, but was not injured.  The only things Bentley shows concern about is people he is not familiar with yelling in the lane and strangers box-loading.  A lot of hard work went into proofing him against visiting box judges and line judges.

Bentley races in a Douglas Paquette harness and a festive collar cover bandana.  His owner/handler, Margi Moore, releases him approximately 10 feet from the start line and he runs back for garlic & honey marinated chicken.

Margi kneels on the side mat until the dog in front of Bentley goes by.  Then she moves him to the lane, and he jumps over to the spot at the same time.  Margi holds his harness with one hand on each side and then simply lets him go when it is his turn, as he doesn’t like to be pushed.

According to Margi: "...Bentley is really starting to love Flyball for Flyball.  I think in the beginning it was more that he loved doing it for me, but now he jumps into the lane, and pulls on his harness.  As long as he shows that enthusiasm, we will continue to play!...".