Frisbee Dog World Championship facts for kids

The Frisbee Dog World Championship is an exciting yearly competition for dogs and their human partners. It's also known as the Ashley Whippet Invitational World Championship or the Canine Frisbee Disc World Championship. In these events, amazing dogs show off their skills at catching flying discs, often called Frisbees!

How It All Started

The first ever World Championship for dogs catching flying discs began in 1975. It was organized by three people: Irv Lander, Alex Stein, and Eldon McIntire. This fun event has happened every year since then.

Alex Stein and his amazing disc dog named Ashley Whippet were the first champions. They won three years in a row, from 1975 to 1977! Irv Lander worked for Wham-O, the company that makes the famous Frisbee.

In the early days, the dog championship happened at the same time as human Frisbee championships. These events took place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Later, the dog competition grew into a series of events. In the early 1980s, it was named the Ashley Whippet Invitational (AWI). Teams of dogs and handlers would compete in local and regional events to earn a spot in the Ashley Whippet Invitational World Finals Championship. For many years, this was the only big championship for disc dogs.

How Teams Qualified

In the beginning, the final championship was a one-day event where one winner took it all! To get there, teams had to qualify at regional competitions. Usually, the top two teams from each regional event earned a spot in the World Finals.

Teams had to live in the area where they competed to qualify. Depending on the year, about 8 to 16 teams would make it to the big championship.

Competition Styles

Early tournaments were mostly "Throw and Fetch" contests. Judges would score teams based on different things. Sometimes it was about how stylish the catch was, or how far the dog caught the disc. Other times, it was about throwing into a specific circle.

Peter Bloeme, who won a human Frisbee championship in 1976, became involved in disc dog sports in the 1980s. He even won a Frisbee Dog World Championship in 1984! After that, he became a judge and event organizer for AWI.

Peter Bloeme helped change the sport by adding "Freestyle" contests. In Freestyle, handlers use multiple discs and perform creative routines with their dogs. This made the disc dog game much more exciting! Over time, the World Finals Championship added Freestyle events (sometimes called "Freeflight"). They also added a timed "MiniDistance" event, which later became "Distance/Accuracy."

The Lander Cup

In the late 1980s, a special trophy was created to celebrate the yearly AWI World Champions. It's a large silver cup on a wooden base. The base is covered with small plaques, each showing the names of the winners. This trophy is called the "Lander Cup." It's named after Irv Lander, who was a key person in the AWI tournament series.

New Championships Emerge

After Irv Lander passed away in 1998, the AWI tournament series changed hands. That year, the AWI World Finals Championship was even filmed for TV! It was shown on Animal Planet as the ALPO Canine Frisbee Disc World Championship.

Skyhoundz

In 2000, a new organization called Skyhoundz started its own World Canine Disc Championship. This competition series, sponsored by Hyperflite, has grown to be the largest disc dog competition in the world!

Each year, Skyhoundz holds over 100 free local championships in the U.S. and other countries. They also have U.S. State Championships, many World Championship Qualifiers, a European Championship, and a big World Championship. They even have special events like Xtreme Distance Challenge and DiscDogathon.

In 2011, the Skyhoundz World Championship became a week-long event! It includes championships in five different divisions: Open, Sport, Pairs Freestyle, MicroDog (for smaller dogs), and Youth. There are also Xtreme Distance and DiscDogathon World Championships. Competitors have several chances to qualify for these world titles.

AWI Continues

The AWI World Championship stopped for a couple of years in 2001 and 2002. But in 2003, AWI started its World Championship again! This time, it was a single event without a long series of qualifiers. Previous AWI staff members like Mark Molnar, Eldon McIntire, and Gary Suzuki helped bring it back.

The 2003 event was held in La Mirada, California. Anyone could enter, without needing to qualify first. The winner of this event was invited to a special "Ashley Whippet Championship" in Japan later that year. The AWI Championships were held in La Mirada again in 2004. In 2005, the event moved to Scottsdale, Arizona.

In 2006, another disc dog group called the UFO ran the Ashley Whippet Invitational World Championship. It was the final event of their season. Competitors could qualify for this event by earning points in the UFO World Cup Series or by finishing well in a semi-final event.

In 2007, the UFO held its own final event in Dallas, Texas. The AWI World Championships returned to Scottsdale, with Hero Disc running the event. There were qualifiers in Illinois and Scottsdale, allowing top teams to compete in the finals.

In 2008, Hero Disc moved the AWI World Championship to La Mirada, California. The final day was even held at Knott's Berry Farm in Anaheim, California! Two U.S. qualifying events and one in Japan helped teams get to the finals.

In 2009, the AWI World Championships moved to Naperville, Illinois. It was held during Labor Day weekend. This event was again open to "all comers," meaning no special qualifying events were needed.

List of World Champions

The following teams of dog and owner (handler) have won the Lander Cup:

Skyhoundz World Champions Open Division (Freestyle/Distance/Accuracy Combined)

• 00 Nick (Australian Shepherd), trainer Bob Evans, Dallas, TX
• 01 Chico (Border Collie), trainer David Bootes, Ketchum, ID
• 02 Donnie (Mix), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 03 Cory (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Stanaway, Gloucester, VA
• 04 Nick (Australian Shepherd), trainer Bob Evans, Dallas, TX
• 05 Rory (Australian Shepherd), trainer Tony Hoard, New Castle, IN
• 06 Guinan (Border Collie), trainer Danny Eggleston, Osceola, IN
• 07 Jumpin' Jack (Border Collie), trainer Danny Venegas, West Palm Beach, FL
• 08 Rory (Australian Shepherd), trainer Tony Hoard, New Castle, IN
• 09 Gipper (Border Collie), trainer Mark Muir, Williamson, GA
• 10 Flash (Border Collie), trainer Lawrence Frederick, Jacksonville, FL
• 11 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Huntington Beach, CA
• 12 Psych (Border Collie), trainer Pennie Mahon, Cypress, TX
• 13 Flower (Border Collie), trainer Matteo Gaddoni, Forli, Italy
• 14 Zorra (Border Collie), trainer Lawrence Frederick, Jacksonville, FL
• 15 Chill (Cattle Dog), trainer Tracy Custer, Grey Summit, MO
• 16 The Kai Bear (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jason Rigler, Jupiter, FL
• 17 Jazmin (Australian Shepherd), trainer Troy Mool, Oak Ridge, MO
• 18 Riley (Mix), trainer Mark Faragoi, Plainfield, IL
• 19 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA

MicroDog Division (Freestyle/Distance/Accuracy Combined)

• 04 K-2 (Mix), trainer Todd Duncan, Cumming, GA
• 05 Scout (Mix), trainer Mare Potts, Aurora, IL
• 06 Seven (Australian Shepherd), trainer Tony Hoard, New Castle, IN
• 07 Tallulah (Mix), trainer Katherine Ferger, Queensville, Ontario, Canada
• 08 George (Rat Terrier), trainer Al Erikson, San Diego, CA
• 09 George (Rat Terrier), trainer Al Erikson, San Diego, CA
• 10 Gracie (Australian Shepherd), trainer Lee Fairchild, Goldsby, OK
• 11 George (Rat Terrier), trainer Al Erikson, San Diego, CA
• 12 Gracie (Australian Shepherd), trainer Lee Fairchild, Goldsby, OK
• 13 Bella (Australian Shepherd), trainer Matt Bilderback, Columbus, OH
• 14 Auggie (Parson Russell Terrier), trainer Timothy Geib, Atlanta, GA
• 15 Auggie (Parson Russell Terrier), trainer Timothy Geib, Atlanta, GA
• 16 Auggie (Parson Russell Terrier), trainer Timothy Geib, Atlanta, GA
• 17 Glamour (Border Collie), trainer Dean Wertz, Dracula, GA
• 18 Key (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA
• 19 Glamour (Border Collie), trainer Dean Wertz, Dracula, GA

Sport Division (Distance/Accuracy)

• 02 Donnie (Mix), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 03 Passer (Border Collie), trainer Sayuri Norose, Japan
• 04 Bowditch (Border Collie), trainer Larry Beatty, Portsmouth, VA
• 05 Blade (Mix), trainer Adrian Custer, Milford, OH
• 06 Beamer (Australian Cattle Dog), trainer John Bilheimer, Glen Burnie, MD
• 07 Brigit (Border Collie), trainer Robert Walkley, Tampa, FL
• 08 Brook (Border Collie), trainer Kevin Eroskey, Kennesaw, GA
• 09 Gipper (Border Collie), trainer Mark Muir, Williamson, GA
• 10 BamBam (Australian Shepherd), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 11 Hippie Chick (Australian Shepherd), trainer David Gosch, Baltimore, MD
• 12 Seesco (Border Collie), trainer Jozsef Zsiros, Hungary
• 13 Bangwool(Border Collie), trainer Sang-Jun Han, South Korea
• 14 Merlin (Border Collie), trainer Kevin Eroskey, Kennesaw, Georgia
• 15 Muse (Australian Shepherd), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 16 Ninja (Mix), trainer Tracy Custer, Villa Ridge, MO
• 17 Rodeo (Labrador), trainer Scott Jones, Davison, MI
• 18 Chica (Mix), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 19 Sora (Border Collie), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA

MicroDog Sport Division (Distance/Accuracy)

• 16 Siri (Border Collie), trainer Dean Wertz, Dracula, GA
• 17 Glamour (Border Collie), trainer Dean Wertz, Dracula, GA
• 18 Canyon (Mix), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 19 Denali (Australian Shepherd), trainer Scott Jones, Davison, MI

Pairs Freestyle (Freestyle)

• 05 Shiloh (Mix), Frank Buckland, Pasadena, MD/Shannon Mosca Bilheimer, Glen Burnie, MD
• 06 Shiloh (Mix), Frank Buckland, Pasadena, MD/Shannon Mosca Bilheimer, Glen Burnie, MD
• 07 Shiloh (Mix), Frank Buckland, Pasadena, MD/Shannon Mosca Bilheimer, Glen Burnie, MD
• 08 Shiloh (Mix), Frank Buckland, Pasadena, MD/Shannon Mosca Bilheimer, Glen Burnie, MD
• 09 Rally (Pyrenean Shepherd), Rick Rauwerda/Angela Ewtushik, Harriston, Ontario, Canada
• 10 Shiloh (Mix), Frank Buckland, Pasadena, MD/Sally Zinkham, Phoenix, MD
• 11 Shiloh (Mix), Frank Buckland, Pasadena, MD/Sally Zinkham, Phoenix, MD
• 12 Spencer (Mix), Jim Thomas, Jacksonville, FL/Michelle Thomas, Jacksonville, FL
• 13 Indigo (Mix), Scot Koster, Palm Coast, FL, Angel Koster, Palm Coast, FL
• 14 Cody (Mix), Sayaka Hagiwara, Japan, Hana Shiba, Japan
• 15 Muse (Australian Shepherd), Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA, Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 16 Bulma (Mix), Cosma Catalfamo, Italy, Antonio Rappazzo, Italy
• 17 Bulma (Mix), Cosma Catalfamo, Italy, Antonio Rappazzo, Italy
• 18 Bulma (Mix), Cosma Catalfamo, Italy, Antonio Rappazzo, Italy
• 19 Muse (Australian Shepherd), Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA, Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA

Youth Division (Freestyle/Distance/Accuracy Combined)

• 10 Hazel (Border Collie), trainer Scott Avick, Cutler Bay, Florida
• 11 Elsee (McNab), trainer LylaClare Kosobucki, Riverside, California
• 12 Cir-El (Australian Shepherd), trainer Courtney Williams, Barnesville, MD
• 13 Cir-El (Australian Shepherd), trainer Courtney Williams, Barnesville, MD
• 14 Perseus (Border Collie), trainer Melanie Redinger, Littleton, CO
• 15 Leo (Mix), trainer Allison Passejna, Clarkston, MI
• 16 Ben (Border Collie), trainer Kibaek Lim, Ansansi, South Korea
• 17 Paisley (Australian Shepherd), trainer Sidney Ryan, Gahanna, OH
• 18 Paisley (Australian Shepherd), trainer Sidney Ryan, Gahanna, OH
• 19 Lolly (Border Collie), trainer Angelica Rossi, Framura, Italy

UFO World Cup Champions Overall/Combined World Cup Series Champions

• 01 Nick (Australian Shepherd), trainer Bob Evans, Dallas, TX
• 02 Nick (Australian Shepherd), trainer Bob Evans, Dallas, TX
• 03 Levi (Mixed Breed), trainer Todd Duncan, Atlanta, GA
• 04 Ben (Mixed Breed), trainer Karin Actun, Dusseldorf, Germany
• 05 Levi (Mixed Breed), trainer Todd Duncan, Atlanta, GA
• 06 Maggie (Border Collie), trainer Matt DiAno, Littleton, CO
• 07 Maggie (Border Collie), trainer Matt DiAno, Littleton, CO
• 08 Maggie (Border Collie), trainer Matt DiAno, Littleton, CO
• 09 Guinan (Border Collie), trainer Danny Eggleston, Osceola, IN
• 10 Maggie (Border Collie), trainer Matt DiAno, Littleton, CO
• 11 Maggey (Border Collie), trainer Mike Hanson, Littleton, CO
• 12 Bling Bling (Mix), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 13 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Huntington Beach, CA
• 14 Flower (Border Collie), trainer Matteo Gaddoni, Forli, Italy
• 15 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 16 Rory (mix), trainer Adrian Stoica, Italy
• 17 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 18 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 19 Sora (Border Collie), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA

Freestyle World Cup Series Champions

• 07 Tucker (Australian Shepherd), trainer Paul West, Dallas, TX
• 08 Guinan (Border Collie), trainer Danny Eggleston, Osceola, IN
• 09 Guinan (Border Collie), trainer Danny Eggleston, Osceola, IN
• 10 Bayer (Australian Shepherd), trainer Gary Duke
• 11 Bam Bam (Australian Shepherd), trainer Chuck Middleton, Dallas, TX
• 12 Moxie (Mix), trainer Andrea Rigler, Jupiter, FL
• 13 Moxie (Mix), trainer Andrea Rigler, Jupiter, FL
• 14 Baily (?), trainer Melanie Fydrich, Germany
• 15 Solar (Australian Shepherd), trainer Andrew Han, Milwaukee, WI
• 16 Bill (Border Collie), trainer Matteo Gaddoni, Forli, Italy
• 17 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 18 Torch (McNab), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA
• 19 Sora (Border Collie), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA

Throw and Catch World Cup Series Champions

• 07 Sprite (?), trainer Paul West, Dallas, TX
• 08 Skye (Border Collie), trainer Preston Dean, Athens, GA
• 09 Bolero (Labrador), trainer Scott Jones, Davison, MI
• 10 Maggie (Border Collie), trainer Matt DiAno, Littleton, CO
• 11 Maggie (Border Collie), trainer Matt DiAno, Littleton, CO
• 12 Rodeo (Labrador), trainer Scott Jones, Davison, MI
• 13 Maggey (Border Collie), trainer Mike Hanson, Littleton, CO
• 14 Rory (mix), trainer Adrian Stoica, Italy
• 15 Courage (Australian Cattle Dog), trainer Tracy Custer, Villa Ridge, MO
• 16 Zain (?), trainer David Roman, Spain
• 17 Muse (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA
• 18 Nove (Whippet), trainer Evanghelos Christofellis, Greece
• 19 Sora (Border Collie), trainer Kirby McIlveen, Placentia, CA

Small Dog World Cup Series Champions

• 17 Key (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA
• 18 Key (Australian Shepherd), trainer Jeff Hill, Anaheim, CA
• 19 Icaro (Parson Russell Terrier), trainer Adrian Stoica, Italy