Crufts & BFA

There are two types of flyball in the UK; Crufts and BFA. There is often confusion between the two, so we have compiled this table explaining the main differences. The two organisations are completely separate, and further questions should be directed towards the governing bodies. Although Flyball Fever focuses on BFA flyball due to the larger number of tournaments and teams, we do cover Crufts flyball and update the site with winners and finalists in March.

 

BFA

Crufts
Governing Body The British Flyball Association (www.flyball.org.uk) The Kennel Club (www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/)
Number of tournaments Over 80 tournaments (weekend shows counting as one) in 2009 8 Qualifiers in 2009 for Crufts 2010
Finals British Flyball Championships held every year (usually mid-August), open to all teams. No qualification necessary. In 2008 and 2009 were held at Southam, Warwickshire with 32 divisions (or 6 or 7 teams in each) in 2009. Winners of division 1 are crowned champions for that year. Final held at Crufts Dog Show, NEC Birmingham. Quarter finals held on Thursday and Friday, with Semis and Finals on Saturday evening. Qualification is required by coming 1st or 2nd in one of the qualifiers. Also Young Kennel Club final for flyball run separately, with the same qualification requirements.
Racing Format Best of 5 legs in a Round Robin format. Each team races each other and the team with the most wins will win the division. If two teams are tied on wins, then it will go on who beat who. If over two teams are tied on wins, it will go on fastest times. This can vary slightly between tournaments and will be specified on the schedule. Best of 3 legs in a knock-out format.
Type of Box Flat fronted box, variety of styles; CanAm, Boomerang or Combination box to name but three. See glossary page. Up to and including Crufts 2009, a slingshot type box with a paddle trigger was used (see glossary page). However for Crufts 2010, and the qualifiers leading up to it, the Kennel Club has changed the box to a "commercially available flat fronted box" - ie like those used in BFA and are to be provided by the team.
Dog Registration Dogs must be registered to a BFA registered handler. Handlers are given a number, e.g. 1234, and their dog is given a number and letter, e.g. 1234A, 1234B. Dog registration is free, and as many can be added to a handler as needed - however handlers pay a yearly membership fee. See the BFA website. Dogs must be registered with the Kennel Club. Pedigree breeds will probably already have a KC Name and Number, however those that are not are required to register on the Activity Register at a cost of 12GBP. Find the paperwork to do so here. Crossbreeds and those unrecognised by the UK KC can go on the Activity Register.
Jump Height Between 7inches and 14inches depending on height dogs. 12inches
Race Start The race is started by the line judge starting a lighting sequence when all teams are ready. Three lights go on in sequence and the start dog must not cross the sensors on the line before the third light. This means that dogs can be given a run up, by setting them off from further back and letting go on the first light so as they cross the line when the third one comes on. The race is started by a judge's countdown and a whistle blown. This means that dogs cannot be let go from further back and hence lead dogs in Crufts flyball are often let go from on the start line.
Timing Electronic, some systems giving split times for individual dogs. Hand timing on a stopwatch.
Dog Faults There are four dog lights; the first light represents the first dog etc. This light is put on for an early changeover or not completing the run cleanly. Flip boards are used. The race begins with 4 coloured panels up, each is covered over by a white board when that dog successfully completes the leg.
Crossovers/Changeovers Detected by electronic sensors. If the dog approaching to run goes past the sensor before the returning dog, then a fault is given. This must also be judged secondly by eye, the line judge using their discretion for example in the unlikely event of a dog jumping the sensors. Changeovers judged purely by eye
Running surface Throughout the summer, tournaments are run on grass. In the winter some tournaments are run on rubber matting in sports halls, on turf on soil or on grass under a marquee. Qualifiers run on grass, final at Crufts run on matting.
Warm Up 2minutes designated warm up time given before each race Warm up at discretion of judge at qualifier. No warm up at Crufts(?)