We're
all going slightly hoopy...
 There’s
a hot new dog-sport hitting our shores, you might have come across Hoopers
already and seen just how much fun it is for both dogs and handlers. Recently
Sarah Hamblin from Canine Hoopers UK shared some insight into how the sport of
Canine Hoopers was formed in the UK and why it is becoming one of the fastest
growing dog sports today.
First and foremost
Canine Hoopers is a fun, low impact, free flowing sport. There are plenty of
sports available to train and compete in but many of them are high impact as our
4 pawed companions (and often us as handlers!) are asked to complete feats of
incredible athleticism. Hoopers is different in the sense that the equipment
itself is low impact, but also the courses invoke natural, free flowing lines
for the dogs, meaning they are able to run smoothly throughout.
Secondly, it’s breed
inclusive - even the big guys love Hoopers! 80cm tunnels are the standard, hoops
are tall and roomy and there’s no weaves – this means that we regularly see both
tiny and giant breeds joining in the fun, with St. Bernards, Great Danes and
Newfoundlands running the same courses as those not predisposed to jumping such
as Daschunds and Bulldogs. We even have some fit and healthy tri-paws ready to
compete!
Competitions are being
hosted up and down the country and, with seven different class types and four
separate progression routes, there is something for everyone! Hoopers,
Barrellers, Tunnellers, Touch & Go, Pairs, Teams and Specials make up the
schedule with only one Touch & Go class, which includes a low level contact,
allowable per day. Specials classes see the creative side of judging come to
light with games and fun challenges for both dogs and handlers! Progression is
points based, irrelevant of wins and placings and extra points can be earned for
completing handling challenges along the way.
In competition, dogs are
grouped according to their level and their height. The dogs are measured using
the length of their ulna rather than at the withers. The length of the ulna of
an adult dog will generally remain the same, whether it is awake or asleep,
stood up, sat down or flat out, fluffy or sporting a new haircut, the length of
the leg remains constant.
 At
present, awards are split for large and small dogs with separate awards for
veterans as well but we anticipate that the size categories will increase as we
see more and more dogs competing throughout the UK.
There are also five
levels to progress through and dogs progress via the accumulation of qualifying
points, not class wins. This means that any dog which runs clear gains the same
standard progression points, regardless of class placings. Remember the emphasis
is on free flowing, not break neck speed! This means that a lolloping Leonburger
can progress at the same rate as a whizzy Whippet and that success is borne of
good training and handling and not purely natural athletic ability -
something those of us 'big boned' handlers can more than appreciate!
In addition, progression
is specific to a class type, meaning handlers can always make decisions based on
their individual dog. Courses at Starters level are straightforward with few
questions and encourage the dog to follow the line of the course and keep moving
forwards. For the handler, however, there are handling challenges such as
Challenge Lines which you must stay behind to earn extra points, Bonus Boxes in
which the handler sets parts of the course from within to gain extra points and
further up the levels Distance Handling Boxes, designed to test the mettle of
partnerships negotiating trickier courses from a specific spot on the course.
The key thing to
remember is that distance handling is purely optional, so if you would rather
clock up your daily steps and run with your dog then great! Equally, if you
don’t want to or find it difficult to run, then Hoopers lends itself so well to
distance handling and even rewards it with bonus points, making it a great
option not just for dogs, but for handlers with mobility issues, too. Handlers
are most welcome to use wheelchairs, walking aids or even place a seat on the
course before they start. You don’t have to declare whether you are going for
the extra points or not before you run. Just go for it and do what you need to
do when you’re in the ring!
 The
sport itself has derived from a discipline offered by NADAC and also in Europe,
however, we have developed a noticeably different format in the UK with the main
emphasis being on smooth, flowing courses, with no tight turns, wing wraps,
serpentines, steep contacts, weaves, gates or anything which puts undue stress
onto the dog. Simply put – “if it don’t flow, it don’t go!” As an instructor I
have lost count of the amount of times someone tells me how they are so proud to
see their now retired agility/flyball/htm dog able to enjoy a whole new lease of
life with a sport that is designed to keep them comfortable. I find myself
welling up with them as they tell me the details and I know first hand how much
confidence hoopers can give to a dog who struggles with independence.
But it’s not all about
competing, with a structured awards system, the Good Hoopers Awards offer the
chance for official recognition of your hoopers based training. With levels of
Bronze, Silver and Gold, plus a foundation level based purely on flatwork for
puppies, the GHA’s are presented with a certificate of achievement and a
stunning dinner plate of a rosette with tails over a foot long! Good Hooper
Awards are offered by all Accredited Canine Hoopers UK Instructors, a list of
whom are available from the CHUK website.
It’s a common
misconception that Hoopers is a watered down version of agility, whilst they are
similar in the fact that a handler and dog need to work as a team to negotiate
the course, the training for each can be quite different and the different
range of skills which are developed complement each other well.
 Canine
Hoolpers UK
From a training perspective, Canine
Hoopers UK training is purely positive, reward based and uses choice games and
free shaping to work the dogs mind as well as the body.
The results speak for
themselves! We are continually being contacted by people who have started
Hoopers with their dog and can't believe the difference it has made - 'velcro
dogs' are becoming unstuck, those lacking focus are becoming driven and, what
pleases us the most, those who couldn't or didn't previously partake in any
other activity suddenly have a whole new passion and lease of life - both dogs
and handlers! Hoopers is so straightforward at the base level that anyone can
have a go and try it for themselves and there are Accredited CHUK Instructors
nationwide.
Our Accredited
Instructor program is based on the principles of modern dog training and aims to
promote and encourage a sport suitable for almost all handlers and dogs. The
methods we endorse are tried and proven to give the best experience to both
little Fido who has never participated in any sort of training or sport before
as well as to Flash Lightning, the seasoned athlete whose owner is conscious
that his body needs something low impact but his brain needs as much stimulation
as ever.
So whether you’ve a
young dog and are looking for an applied way of teaching some deep rooted
foundation, or an older dog looking for a gentler outlet, if you’re less mobile
yourself and are looking for a sport which lends itself to distance handling or
you’re as fit as a flea and simply want to build an amazing partnership with
your dog and have loads of fun doing so, why not come and try Hoopers. Let
Canine Hoopers UK introduce you to this amazing sport!
 Want
to join in the buzz? Then get involved! There are Accredited Canine Hoopers UK
Instructors nationwide. You can find out more about training, shows and even how
to become an instructor via our
website, where you will also find our rules and regs. You can also join us
on Facebook by searching Canine Hoopers UK. As with any canine sport, we
recommend using good old fashioned common sense. Be sure your dog is fit,
healthy and capable and seek veterinary advice if you are unsure whether Hoopers
is right for your dog.
 Author
credit...
Sarah Hamblin is a
trainer and judge with Canine Hoopers UK. When not training and assessing
Accredited Instructors Courses. She hosts workshops throughout the UK.
Sarah competes in CHUK
competitions as well as Agility with her distinctive Xoloitzcuintle (Mexican
Hairless).
Having grown up on
gundogs and working terriers, she fully appreciates the importance of dogs being
kept fit and active both physically and mentally.
First published 24
October 2018
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