Bonham, Texas -- Flyball dog relay teams from Oklahoma and Texas, including teams with four of the fastest times in the nation, will be back at the Multipurpose Complex in Bonham on Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22 for Flyball races sanctioned by United Flyball League International. Competition begins at 8:00 a.m. and goes all day Saturday and Sunday.

The roots of Flyball date back to the late 1960s in Southern California. Each Flyball relay team consists of four dogs and their handlers. The race begins when the green light flashes on a set of drag racing lights. The first dog will race over hurdles in order to grab a ball at the far end of the racetrack, and then bring the ball back to the handler at the finish line. When the first dog crosses the line, the second dog takes off.

When all four dogs have successfully completed the course, the team with the fastest time wins the heat and the team that wins the most heats wins the tournament.

Anyone who enjoys watching spirited working dogs can appreciate the bond between dogs and their handlers in a sport that would appear to require intense teamwork and a lot of practice.

The event is free and the public is welcome. As you would expect with any event featuring dogs, there is a family-friendly atmosphere and good-natured competition.

A lot of breeds are represented, but anyone with a soft spot in their heart for border collies might want to stop by to watch a race or two. A combination of speed and quickness is required, making border collie-whippet crosses popular.

Karen Erz, Top Dog Racers Tournament Director, says these tournaments bring new visitors to Bonham, puts heads in the beds at local hotels, and competitors often fill local restaurants for evening meals.