Do you know "K9 biathlon"?
Otherwise, read on here and hear what makes children, adults and the elderly - and dogs of all sizes - throw themselves voluntarily through mud and many other challenges.
K9 biathlon? Yes, that's a strange word at first glance! Biathlon: Isn't it something like biathlon. And K9? What is it an abbreviation for?
This is the first hurdle that this relatively new sport faces, because the name may not be very descriptive. On the other hand, it is a sport that is attracting more and more people because it gives the owner and dog a fun and different experience.
In short, "K9" is a pun on the English word "canine" and "biathlon" means that both running and overcoming obstacles are required. In races abroad, you may actually encounter a post where shooting is required, as the sport was originally founded within the military and police dog world.
In a K9 biathlon race, both dog and owner have to go over, under, and through a lot of obstacles. What type of obstacles, well, it's always a surprise: It all depends on what the race organizer has come up with. Most often, both the terrain (it can be ditches, hills, mud holes, fallen trees) and constructed obstacles are used, such as pipes to crawl through, various things to jump over, or even more advanced things like rafting or driving the dog in a wheelbarrow. The latter is often the challenge that requires the most training.
And why is it that both small children and their parents, young people, adults and the elderly (the oldest participant in the last race was over 80!) choose to spend their day taking their dog out through a lot of hardships and coming home soaked, muddy and with a dog covered in dung?
I think it's about several things: First, it's a sport where you're "in it together", meaning you have to work together with your dog. It gives you a very special experience and also helps you develop an even stronger bond. "We did it together" - it's just a fantastic feeling. Another thing is the challenge: That we feel cool and get a special feeling of having done something out of the ordinary. We've given ourselves and our dog a little adventure together. And last but not least, there's the community around participation: The fact that everyone can participate, that you meet equals. And can go off together: Whether it's the family participating together, the club friends from the dog running club going on a trip or a group of girlfriends. The races appeal broadly in this way, just as we can see that more "human exercise races" have begun to do. Personally, I also think that obstacle training is a good ballast for the dog, which also rubs off on everyday life: A dog that is comfortable trying many different things is often easier to take with you on walks, on trips, on the train, etc.
Two weeks ago I went with both Frida and Vilde. Frida and I have participated in this type of race since 2018, and it is always a special experience to be there again. I usually like to say that Frida is the star and I am "the thin beer". Because while Frida quickly and elegantly forces her way through the obstacles, the two-legged one is a bit slower! But my dog's joy at being there has always been the driving force for me. And it is also always fun to see what new challenges the organizers have come up with. This time we had pouring rain and knee-deep mud, so there was good reason to feel extra cool!
If you've ever wanted to try it yourself, some of the Nordic countries' largest K9 biathlons are right here in Denmark: " K9 biathlon for everyone " is the name of this race series. And the next one is in Viborg in August! You can also find races in both Sweden and Germany, and DCH also occasionally does obstacle races.
Enjoy!
Photos: Tails by Ragno
About the blogger:
Karoline lives in Birkerød with her boyfriend and their two golden retrievers, Frida and Vilde. Karoline is a trained veterinarian and dog trainer and is co-founder of the dog running club Dirty Paws, where she is also a trainer/rope keeper in the local club in North Zealand. Frida and Line love running canicross together and have participated in many competitions at home and abroad, including the European Championships and the World Championships. Their most important motto, however, is "Better together" - that the trips are about teamwork and understanding for each other. And that everyone can join in. In addition to canicross, they also participate in K9 biathlons (obstacle races with dogs) and do dog fitness. And hiking both in Denmark and around Europe is also a hit.
Frida is a super fast runner when it comes to it. And can hike for hours in the Alps. But she also just loves to be petted on the stomach and sleep for a long time. She can be stubborn as a donkey if there is something she doesn't like. On evening walks, for example, she is the one who decides the route. And she "talks" a lot by purring, including when she thinks she has earned an extra treat.
Vilde is from the spring of 2023 - and in many ways Frida's opposite. She is full of mischief and always happy and cheeky. She can howl like a wolf or jump like a kangaroo when she gets impatient - and otherwise she is a smart and brave girl who loves wild play and training. She will do pretty much anything for a treat.
Frida, Vilde and Karoline can be found on Instagram with the profile @teamgoldenpower
Do you know "K9 biathlon"?
Do you know "K9 biathlon"?
Otherwise, read on here and hear what makes children, adults and the elderly - and dogs of all sizes - throw themselves voluntarily through mud and many other challenges.
K9 biathlon? Yes, that's a strange word at first glance! Biathlon: Isn't it something like biathlon. And K9? What is it an abbreviation for?
This is the first hurdle that this relatively new sport faces, because the name may not be very descriptive. On the other hand, it is a sport that is attracting more and more people because it gives the owner and dog a fun and different experience.
In short, "K9" is a pun on the English word "canine" and "biathlon" means that both running and overcoming obstacles are required. In races abroad, you may actually encounter a post where shooting is required, as the sport was originally founded within the military and police dog world.
In a K9 biathlon race, both dog and owner have to go over, under, and through a lot of obstacles. What type of obstacles, well, it's always a surprise: It all depends on what the race organizer has come up with. Most often, both the terrain (it can be ditches, hills, mud holes, fallen trees) and constructed obstacles are used, such as pipes to crawl through, various things to jump over, or even more advanced things like rafting or driving the dog in a wheelbarrow. The latter is often the challenge that requires the most training.
And why is it that both small children and their parents, young people, adults and the elderly (the oldest participant in the last race was over 80!) choose to spend their day taking their dog out through a lot of hardships and coming home soaked, muddy and with a dog covered in dung?
I think it's about several things: First, it's a sport where you're "in it together", meaning you have to work together with your dog. It gives you a very special experience and also helps you develop an even stronger bond. "We did it together" - it's just a fantastic feeling. Another thing is the challenge: That we feel cool and get a special feeling of having done something out of the ordinary. We've given ourselves and our dog a little adventure together. And last but not least, there's the community around participation: The fact that everyone can participate, that you meet equals. And can go off together: Whether it's the family participating together, the club friends from the dog running club going on a trip or a group of girlfriends. The races appeal broadly in this way, just as we can see that more "human exercise races" have begun to do. Personally, I also think that obstacle training is a good ballast for the dog, which also rubs off on everyday life: A dog that is comfortable trying many different things is often easier to take with you on walks, on trips, on the train, etc.
Two weeks ago I went with both Frida and Vilde. Frida and I have participated in this type of race since 2018, and it is always a special experience to be there again. I usually like to say that Frida is the star and I am "the thin beer". Because while Frida quickly and elegantly forces her way through the obstacles, the two-legged one is a bit slower! But my dog's joy at being there has always been the driving force for me. And it is also always fun to see what new challenges the organizers have come up with. This time we had pouring rain and knee-deep mud, so there was good reason to feel extra cool!
If you've ever wanted to try it yourself, some of the Nordic countries' largest K9 biathlons are right here in Denmark: " K9 biathlon for everyone " is the name of this race series. And the next one is in Viborg in August! You can also find races in both Sweden and Germany, and DCH also occasionally does obstacle races.
Enjoy!
Photos: Tails by Ragno
About the blogger:
Karoline lives in Birkerød with her boyfriend and their two golden retrievers, Frida and Vilde. Karoline is a trained veterinarian and dog trainer and is co-founder of the dog running club Dirty Paws, where she is also a trainer/rope keeper in the local club in North Zealand. Frida and Line love running canicross together and have participated in many competitions at home and abroad, including the European Championships and the World Championships. Their most important motto, however, is "Better together" - that the trips are about teamwork and understanding for each other. And that everyone can join in. In addition to canicross, they also participate in K9 biathlons (obstacle races with dogs) and do dog fitness. And hiking both in Denmark and around Europe is also a hit.
Frida is a super fast runner when it comes to it. And can hike for hours in the Alps. But she also just loves to be petted on the stomach and sleep for a long time. She can be stubborn as a donkey if there is something she doesn't like. On evening walks, for example, she is the one who decides the route. And she "talks" a lot by purring, including when she thinks she has earned an extra treat.
Vilde is from the spring of 2023 - and in many ways Frida's opposite. She is full of mischief and always happy and cheeky. She can howl like a wolf or jump like a kangaroo when she gets impatient - and otherwise she is a smart and brave girl who loves wild play and training. She will do pretty much anything for a treat.
Frida, Vilde and Karoline can be found on Instagram with the profile @teamgoldenpower