Organize a canicross competition
If you are reading this article it is because you like the challenge! You belong to a canicross club and you want to test your team? Have you signed up for a canicross or are you going to do it?
Find out how a canicross competition is organized: choice of course, markup, regulations, health monitoring of dogs, management of volunteers, etc.
I interviewed a shocking duo for you. This is Pierre and his Australian Shepherd, Manta. These two are nature lovers and especially spooooooort! Pierre is the president of the Salag'Dogs canicross club. From the creation of the club to the organization of training and competitions, he is a real expert in the field!
Today, our two cani-runners will take you behind the scenes of a canicross competition. Let's goooo follow our athletes!
Pierre, it's up to you 🙂
The famous Salagou trail
From the beginning of the adventure in 2017, we wanted to create an event on the banks of the Salagou because for us it is a magical place that lends itself very well to our practice. We absolutely wanted our cani-potos from all over France to come and discover this! And one morning in October 2019, after months of preparation, nearly 200 participants over two distances, with a dog walk and children's races, set off, alongside the famous Salagou trail !
It was a success and a wonderful experience that taught us a lot. I could never thank all the volunteers enough who gave their time and energy to make the party beautiful, and today we only remember the best!
There are too many better memories to remember just one! But to name a few I would say the pizza evenings to prepare for the race, the hasty setting up in the morning with a headlamp (for those who had one :D), the smiles of the participants, the mud, the dogs delighted, the children happy, the spectators intrigued, the start with a bang, the friendships that were created (another big thank you also to Philippe, a great race judge, and Gladys and Sego of course as flying judges!). Organizing a race is really a great adventure. We don't have a new one scheduled, but you never know what the future holds.
The procedure for creating a canicross competition
The FSLC or Canine Sports and Leisure Federation accompanies all those wishing to carry out an event. It also allows you to join challenges that allow you to bring in a few more people. It is also possible to appear on the official calendar of the federation. In return, it is necessary to respect the instructions of the federation in terms of course, presence of judges, equipment and procedures. Thanks to this support, we are sure not to make any mistakes!
You will find a lot of information and official documents on the page Useful information from the FSLC website.
The main points of settlement
A canicross competition may seem like fun and fun, but it is always framed by certain rules. Do you want to participate in a canicross? Before you start in competition mode, you must be aware of the following points to prepare for your race:
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Before setting off, make sure you have a valid license and/or medical certificate for you and your dog. You must also be registered for the race and have paid the participation costs.
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Vaccines against rabies and kennel cough are mandatory, and those against parvovirus and leptospirosis are strongly advised.
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Do you like running with your dog to music? Leave your headphones at home, they are prohibited during canicross competitions.
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The score, ie your time, is done when the dog's muzzle crosses the finish line. That's good to know 😉
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All dogs, with the exception of category 1 dogs, are allowed to participate in a canitrail or canicross competition. The only conditions to be met are: that the dog is at least 12 months old, identified by a microchip or a tattoo and in good health. Indeed, if the veterinarian who examines your dog before the start judges that he is not in a condition to take the start, you will not be authorized to compete.
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The walking harness Julius type are to be avoided. Opt for the winning trio: a belt ou harness, a homologated shock-absorbing line to connect you to your dog, it must not exceed 2 meters once stretched, these are the rules of the competition, and a traction harness that is well adjusted and adapted to the morphology of your dog. To choose your pulling harness, find the advice of our dog expert Morin France in the article the top 10 pulling activities to do with your dog.
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Category 2 dogs must be muzzled with a adapted muzzle, allowing them to open their mouths to breathe properly and drink while running.
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Always make sure you have water with you for you and your dog. Dogs don't sweat so the only way to cool off is to drink or get wet. It is strictly forbidden not to let your dog drink during a race even if you are overtaken by other competitors. If it is too hot at the start of the race and your dog is very sensitive to heat, cancel your participation. Don't put your four-legged friend at risk.
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The number 1 instruction is fair play and benevolence. You are not gambling your life on a canicrosse competition! Respect the runners and other dogs. Make it easier to overtake other crews if they're faster than you even if you're angry about being overtaken. The pressure mounts quickly on race starts and some dogs go crazy. Everyone must be able to manage their dog and predict their reactions to anticipate bites or fights. It is above all a moment of conviviality and good humor!
Some anecdotes from our canicross competitions
A little anecdote that makes me laugh… the story takes place in castle of Valmy in the Pyrénées Orientales, a canicross organized by our friends from Canisport66. The start and finish area of the race takes place in the beautiful garden of the castle where a magnificent fountain sits in the middle of the green lawns. A few minutes after our race finish and after the obligatory hugs, I untied my dog. I saw him take a look at this beautiful fountain located 200 meters from us. “No Manta! We don't have the right”… She left alone, like an arrow, slaloming between the dogs and the people with only one objective, that of throwing herself into the water! Goal achieved ! It was a bit of a stain in this castle park but my dog is so cute that I can never say anything to him (aha)
Today, I'm taking a little break from the competition. Sometimes you have to know how to listen to yourself and your body! But for this winter I am exploring new horizons and new trails with my dog, especially off-piste. I put myself at ski touring, and my dog loves it. He always liked the mountain in summer, loved them snowshoeing in winter, and ski touring is a new dimension. My dog made his first winter summit, the Puigmal at 2910m. He seemed to have a blast so I think we'll repeat the experience as soon as possible! And in any case, our program is to continue to share lots of beautiful things together!
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Well guys, I think we're ready for a canicross competition! Last year, Musher and I were unable to participate in the Salag'Dogs but this year we intend to get back on track at the competition level! We hope to meet you on one of these competitions.
Thanks again to Pierre and his dog for sharing their Too W'ouf experience with us. To discover the Salag'Dogs club, head to the interview with Pierre and Manta “Joining a canicross club with your dog: it's fun!” and to learn more about their history, take a look at their Portrait Wow Good.
Pssssst: do you want to know more about canicross and canine traction sports? Take a look at these articles: “The top 10 traction sports to share with your dog"; "Start canicross with your dog"And"Canicross or canitrail – running with your dog” . Psssssst: other articles are coming very soon on the Mag' of EmmèneTonChien.com ! Stay connected and listen and listen! !
In the meantime, for more info, holiday advice and dog-friendly tips, follow EmmèneTonChien.com on our facebook page et our instagram account : )