dog & sport international 01/2015

Canicross in Scotland
Whilst events and the competition
side of things are on the increase,
the biggest impact to Scotland the
sport has made is getting people,
who perhaps before would have
not attended a running club/gym or
venture to the great outdoors alone,
out, fit and doing it with their
dog. People are enjoying being active,
being outside in all weathers,
getting muddy and working hard
on personal goals, using their dog
as a positive excuse to keep their
new fitness routine up.
Scotland is often criticised for being
a nation with high statistics of unhealthy
people. Obesity is on the
rise, people have less time, working
more hours, and social media is
being swapped for real lives. However
Britain as a whole is a nation of
extreme pet lovers, a third of
Britain’s households own a pet dog
and most regard the dog as part of
the family. This is a fantastic combination.
We have a nation of people
needing motivation, people with
no time, but people who truly love
their pets. Kill 2 birds with the one
stone! More and more people are
now seeing the huge benefits in including
their dog in their quest to
getting fit.
We are seeing better socialised pets,
better control of exercising dogs,
people training in safety of numbers
of a group, and utilising some
of the world’s most beautiful
landscapes.
One thing Scotland does not lack
and that is rain, lots of it. With the
encouragement and motivation of
groups that have formed over Scotland
most won’t mind about going
for a run in the rain. They certainly
know their dog won’t be bothered
by it.
Scotland has clubs or training groups
in almost every district. With the
help of social media people are forming
together to meet up and go
training out on the trails with their
dogs.
Cani-Fit at present being the only
formal training class, where we
teach from complete beginners, to
mixed ability and advanced athletes
wanting to compete at a high level.
Cani Sports Edinburgh formed the
first official club status with lots
more local groups looking at following
suit.
Cani Sports Scotland were the first
Scottish company to host a canicross
based race, now in their third year
and hosting almost a race a month
in the racing season.
Thanks to the influx of training classes,
clubs and events we are seeing
more and more juniors take part.
From almost no children competing
in Canicross to over 20 at each event
now is a positive step for the future
of the sport as a whole.
Scotland Canicross leaders have
been looking at ways to keep the
sport positively moving forward
and in the next season 2015/2016
will be introducing the first Scottish
Canicross Championship. With
thanks to Cani Sports Edinburgh,
Cani Sports Scotland and Cani-Fit
hosting the 5 championship races
throughout the season, we will see
our first drive for a true Canicross
Champion in Scotland.
All groups, clubs and races are very
novice and beginner friendly with
runs adapted for lower level of fitness.
These aspects of the sport are
what makes it that more inclusive,
not only is Canicross in Scotland all
fitness ability friendly but all dog
breed friendly too. We see more
Border Terriers, Border Collies and a
mix of rescue dogs compete than
perhaps a traditional sled dog.
With the growth of the sport more
in the pet owner community than
say the sled dog community a need
for a mix of courses are growing.
Competitors like to see ever changing
scenery, twists and singletrack
trails to keep dogs interested. With
30 | dog & sport