Watch Dogs Compete In Frisbee Championship In Naperville

NAPERVILLE, IL — The story of how the Ashley Whippet Invitational Frisbee competition got its start is a memorable one: a teen sneaked his whippet, Ashley, into a Dodgers game in 1974 and made history by tossing Frisbees as the dog jumped nearly 10 feet in the air to catch them. More than 40 years later, the competition has turned into a international sensation; and this year, it's coming to Naperville.

The Ashley Whippet Invitational World Championship Frisbee Competition will bring dozens of agile dogs to Nike Park on Sept. 1 and 2. The event includes a freestyle portion and a toss and catch portion, in which dogs and humans have 60 seconds to execute as many complete Frisbee throws as they can.

In the freestyle part of the competition, which is set to music, teams of dogs and humans are scored in a number of different categories. The pooches are evaluated on such technical skills as catch ratio, jumping ability, distance, and landing. Judges also weigh focus, prey drive, and excitement when they score the dogs.

Humans aren't off the hook when it comes to scoring. Handlers are judged on athleticism, ingenuity, disc control, and creativity.

If you attend the event, you'll see dogs from around the U.S., in addition to dogs who qualified from Europe and Asia who will be bringing their all for the competition.

What: Ashley Whippet Invitational World Championship

When: Sept. 1 and 2; competition starts at 9:30 a.m.

Where: Nike Park, 288 W. Diehl Rd., Naperville

Image via Shutterstock