Musical Dog Competition

Heelwork to music is an up and coming discipline of dog training. It is extremely popular in the United Kingdom but steadily gaining enthusiasm throughout the entire world. The activity was inspired by Dressage riding. Dressage is an equestrian sport in which the horse and rider work quietly together to perform movements in routines with a great deal of flow and connectedness. In the higher levels of Dressage, the routines are performed in sync with music. Working with dogs to music plays off of that idea quite literally, in which dog owners and their dogs do routines to a musical number.

This type of canine competition is so popular because it allows for more emotion and playfulness than most other types of dog sports. Dogs typically enjoy the music, and may show great enthusiasm for their routines whenever they hear music. Additionally, it gives owners a chance to bond with their dogs, as well as artistically express what they feel through music. Though any dog and owner team has the potential to compete in these events, the most successful are those with a great deal of obedience training already under their belts. Despite the freedom of the experience, they teams are still judged on precision and accuracy.

Dogs typically compete in groups according to their level of experience. The groups range from beginner to the more advanced. Some of the competitions are more structured, with set routines or movements to be followed. Others are referred to as “freestyle” meaning the owner and dog have the freedom to make up their own routine to a song.

The teams are typically judged on three different factors. First of all, judges take into account the content of each routine, meaning the moves that the team demonstrates. Next, they look at the accuracy and precision of each maneuver, as well as the flow from one move to the next. Lastly, they look for personal expression within each routine, and how the music ties into the demonstration.

Talk to dog clubs in your area for information on how the sport of heelwork to music, or freestyle musical dog shows, are progressing in your area.