Throwing a Frisbee around in the park with your dog might be seen as just a bit of fun but one woman is out to prove that there are plenty more benefits beside exercise.

Ruby Welsford, who runs ClickerTastic dog training school based in Kenilworth, and her four-year-old Border Collie cross Labrador Betsy came to the world’s largest dog show Crufts to spread the message about disc dog, or Frisbee dog as it’s called.

Disc dog is a sport where dogs and their owners participate in a number of different events, such as distance catching, all involving a Frisbee.

The sport first originated in the 1970s, paralleling the rise in the popularity of Frisbee sport and now sees competitions all over world.

And Ruby was keen to promote the benefits it can bring, especially to our four-legged friends.

“We find that disc dog really helps because it’s giving a useful outlet for Betsy to exercise,” she said.

“We’ve got two high energy breeds crossed together and I always say as a trainer if you don’t give your dog a job they will find a way to get self-employed.”

There are just five active disc dog teams throughout the UK and Ruby’s mission is to increase the coverage.


As well as the activity advantages she also believes that the sport has helped improve relationships between owners and dogs. 

“We’ve had loads of people with reactive or nervous dogs who are really lacking confidence when being taken out in public,” she said.

“What we’ve actually found is it has helped increase people’s confidence to deal with dogs that wouldn’t traditionally fit into other dog sports.

“It’s really increased the confidence around new people, other dogs, and it’s such a close environment to be in.”

Presented by the Kennel Club, Crufts 2017 marks the 126th edition of the show, which attracts dogs and owners from all over the world as well as thousands of visitors over the course of the four days.

And Ruby was quick to describe how much she enjoyed the event at Birmingham’s NEC, which concludes on Sunday and is expected to see around 22,000 happy, healthy dogs attend.

“I’ve been coming every year since I was about seven, I love it,” she explained.

“It’s a real opportunity for me and other doggie people to come and get together.

“It also takes a lot of self-control not to go completely insane shopping because there’s so many different things and knowledgeable people whose brains you can pick.”