Disc dog sport catching on

WASHINGTON, OK — Not every dog can use its owner as a springboard.

Lee Fairchild's dog can. Gracie, a 28-pound Australian shepherd, uses her owner as a catapult, a way to leap even higher into the air to catch a flying disc.

Gracie and dozens of other dogs from Oklahoma and nearby states will compete today at the Spring Fling, a disc dog competition hosted by OKPAWS K9 Sports Club. Dogs will sprint, leap, catch, retrieve and show off to win the top prizes.

"These dogs don't get paid, so they thrive on that applause,” Fairchild said. "Of course, we thrive on it, too.”

Eight years ago, Fairchild saw the sport on television. As a dog trainer, he thought it would be fun. Fairchild recruited friend Mark Seyfried.

"We went to our first competition,” Fairchild said, "and it was terrible.”

The dogs were spooked. The competition was full of barking dogs, cheering fans and distractions. Fairchild's dog didn't catch any discs; Seyfried's dog didn't even retrieve them.

The duo has been putting on a disc dog competition since, but this is the first year they've partnered with OKPAWS K9 Sports Club.

The events are toss-and-catch and freestyle. Most dogs weigh between 30 and 55 pounds, said Fairchild, who is a case manager and hostage negotiator at Lexington Assessment and Reception Center. Common breeds that compete are border collies, heelers, Australian shepherds, Labradors and other retrievers.

Anyone can enter, Fairchild said, and categories include novice and advanced. Amateurs from throughout the state are expected to attend, he said. The entry fee is $10 per event.

"You can be a total amateur and come out here,” Fairchild said. "That's how you get into the sport.”

A Purina Incredible Dog Challenge champion owner will judge the competition and give a demonstration.

The competition will begin at 10 a.m. today at Washington High School, 101 E Kerby. Admission is free. For more information, call 620-2404 or go to www.okpaws.com.