Dock Diving is a relatively new, competitive canine sport. There are multiple variations emphasizing distance, height and speed but in all variations dogs sprint down the dock and launch themselves into a pool in attempts to grab a “bumper” (their favorite toy). It is fast paced, exciting to watch and has a fun, welcoming environment. Any dog can participate, purebred or mixed breed, though at the highest levels you will often see breeds like Malinois, Golden Retrievers and Labradors.
Can Tornjaks Dock Dive?
Well, as you can see, yes! Tornjaks have a natural love of water, so we originally brought ours to the pool just for swimming. What we quickly learned is that many of the same traits that make a great Tornjak also make a dog well suited for dock diving. They are brave, agile, strong on their feet and confident in new situations. One of the hardest parts of the sport is asking a dog to leap from a raised dock into clear water, but Dagon took to it naturally. After a little practice, he was soaring off the dock with ease.
Earning titles
Dagon competes in dock diving distance events and his goal is simple: jump as far as possible. Dogs are measured from the end of the dock to where the base of their tail enters the water. Dogs compete in different divisions against other dogs jumping similar distances. For example, a dog jumping 10 ft would compete in a beginner division, while a dog jumping 30 ft would be in an advanced division.
Dagon has now competed in multiple competitions, proving himself a formidable competitor in the sport. His longest jump to date is 14ft 9in. Placing First in multiple events, he has earned his “United Junior Jumper Champion” title and is currently working toward his Grand Championship.
Diving in Tornjak style
What makes Dagon especially unique is that he does not jump for a bumper. As a livestock guardian breed, Tornjaks have lower prey drive, so chasing a toy is not what motivates him. Instead, I stand at the far end of the pool and call him. He jumps for me.
That has always felt like the most Tornjak part of all. Dagon has the athleticism to do the sport, but the reason he does it is family. His strength gets him through the air, but his loyalty is what sends him off the dock.
Want to learn more about Dagon and his accomplishments?
This article about Dock Diving Tornjaks was featured on "Year With A Shepherd" with our Dagon as the star of the article. 😊
"Year With A Shepherd" (AKA "Rok s pastevcem") is a Facebook account for an educational project about shepherd dogs that produces wonderful content about Tornjaks and other guardians. It's based in the Czech Republic so be sure to hit 'translate' and give it a read!