Musical Canine Freestyle
About Musical Canine Freestyle
- Invented: Late 1980s
- Founded By: Patie Ventre - founder of World Canine Freestyle Organization
- Highest Governing Body: World Canine Freestyle Organization
Musical canine freestyle is a sport that involves humans and dogs working together to create choreography to music. The sport began to gain popularity in the late 1980s when dog trainers in various places around the world began to set music to different obedience and agility tricks. Then, in 1999, Patie Ventre founded the World Canine Freestyle Organization. However, some historical artifacts suggest that dogs were trained to dance as early as the 15th and 16th centuries.
Handlers and dogs are encouraged to include a variety of innovative moves set to music to showcase their bond, skills, and animal training. One key aspect of musical canine freestyle is heelwork. Heelwork includes movements where the dog is engaged at the handler’s heel as he or she is moving in a rehearsed way, such as weaving and pivots.
People can train their dogs to learn musical canine freestyle on their own. However, there are also organizations, such as the World Canine Freestyle Organization, that organize different clubs and events.
Helpful Links
- Musical Dog Sport Association
- World Canine Freestyle Organization
- Video: Heelwork to Music - Freestyle International Winner | Crufts 2018
FAQ
What is musical canine freestyle?
Musical canine freestyle is a type of dog sport that focuses on choreographing a routine to music for a human and their dog to perform. The freestyle dance movements focus on creativity and technicality while also highlighting the dog’s obedience skills. The discipline focuses on the relationship between the dog and its human while also creating a performance opportunity. Musical canine freestyle competitions and events are held in many different parts of the world.
What dog breeds are typically best at musical canine freestyle?
Any dog breed can learn choreography that can be performed at a musical canine freestyle event because the choreography aims to highlight the best skills of any given dog breed. However, some dog breeds, such as border collies or poodles, that love attention and tend to be easily trained are more frequently seen at freestyle competitions. Furthermore, dogs that are nimble and flexible may have an easier time performing and learning more advanced skills and movements.
How do you get your dog involved in musical canine freestyle?
Anyone can train their dog to become involved in musical canine freestyle. In the early stages of practice and training, it is important to teach your dog fundamental obedience skills and tricks. That way, your dog can easily progress to learning more advanced tricks and performing multiple tricks in a row. If you are interested in competitions or joining an organization for musical canine freestyle, you can research online to find information about events or groups that are close to where you live.