Aren’t dogs amazing? They’re cute, they’re cuddly, they’re energetic, and they’re playful. It’s no surprise they’ve been given the title of ‘man’s best friend‘.
But the best thing about them isn’t that human and animal bond, it’s the bond they can help create amongst other humans.
And I saw the strength of that in full force at the 2025 Canberra UpDog Series.
Now upon hearing that name, there is a question I’m sure is on everyone’s lips right now:
What’s UpDog? (*insert laugh track here*)
The UpDog Series is an international dog and disc event, in which teams from all over the globe compete in a series of disc games. The series is made of up of seven rounds that are spread across the year, with each round containing a different set of four dog sports to compete in.
UpDog’s main mission as an organisation is to increase the number of dog owners participating in dog sports, and ensuring that all participants are acknowledged through their continuing participation and comprehensive achievements.
As a dog lover this kind of event was a must see, however the only team in Australia that competes in the UpDog series, was Canberra’s very own Belconnen Obedience Club.
Thankfully upon reaching out to the club, I was met with an extremely welcoming response. Something that as it turns out, would be very indicative of the actual event.
Setting the scene
For those who are expecting me to immediately start describing the grand scale of this event, talking about the sizeable crowd that rivaled the Canberra Show or Skyfire, you’re not going to get that. Because the first thing that caught my attention when I arrived at the Belconnen Obedience Club was that the event was very local and very small in scale.
As the games began on a warm, cloudy Sunday morning, I’d be lying to say I wasn’t a little taken aback by the attendance. If I had to put a number on it, I’d say it was around 25 to 30 people, and around 10 to 12 dogs that were competing in the games.
But the small numbers actually managed to add to the atmosphere.
From participants and organisers exchanging jokes and banter, to dogs being welcomed with plenty of pats and toys, the atmosphere could only be described as extremely laid back. It was apparent I was surrounded by proper friendships and relationships.
Everybody knew everybody.
And as everyone was called in by the organisers so that they could explain the procedure for the day, I couldn’t help but notice that this “brief” didn’t feel like one that was for a competition. It felt far more similar to teammates in a game of footy getting into a huddle to discuss a team strategy.
The games
Once rules were explained and all participants were ready, the festivities began! For the first round of the series, I witnessed four different dog sports:
Now if you’re like me and are not familiar with what any of these games are, then those names will read like complete nonsense.
But once I was able to watch a bit, it was very simple to get a hang of what these games contained.
My favourite of the day was well and truly the 7Up.
This game was all about catching discs and jumping over hurdles in as little time as possible, and let me tell you, this was a true sight.
Some of the catches I witnessed these dogs pull off were quite spectacular. It is easily the event that requires the fastest reflexes and the most consistent communication between human and canine.
Another standout was the Far Out game. This game revolved around distance and speed, and just like the 7Up, produced some amazing catches.
You can never truly appreciate just how quick a dog can be in an open field until you witness a few rounds of this.
It was also a terrific showcase for the throwing abilities of their human partners.
The storytelling of participants
Witnessing these disc games were extremely entertaining, however speaking with competitors made me realise how close the community is. And that’s where the true charm of UpDog was.
The stories I heard were all so unique in their own way. People who had joined the Obedience Club had come from different types of backgrounds, professions, towns, and all had their own reasons for joining the club in the first place.
There were some that had years of experience under their belt, such as event coordinators Justin & Amelia Allen, (who competed in the games with their dogs, Rafe and Quinn), and 15 year instructor Niccola Hardaker (and her dog, Zim, the most titled Cardigan in Australia).
But whilst the people who had been around for a while had plenty of stories to tell, I found myself listening more intently to those who were newer to the sport.
Many participants I met joined after the pandemic and despite initial anxiety, there were plenty of people who have found a home with the club.
“This is not serious competition, it’s fun for everyone.”
Cath (Participant in the Canberra UpDog Series)
Hearing these perspectives felt like a real affirmation to my own personal experience.
I was someone who had never been to an event like this before, with no knowledge of the games played and their rules. However, people were more than happy to give me a rundown on how things worked out.
By the end of the day, I felt like I was member of the club.
To put it into the simplest terms, I went for the dogs, and stayed for the people. I will definitely be keeping an ear out for when the next round begins.
Photos by Huon Du Field