The canine long jump competition that ends with a soggy doggy

The competitors fly through the air with the greatest of ease before landing with a belly-flop in the water.

And they never stop wagging their tails.

Introducing the long jump for dogs - a sport which has been popular in the U.S. for years and is now gaining a pawhold in Britain.



Scroll down for video



[caption]

[caption]

The event usually involves the animal's owner tossing a toy or tennis ball over a large pool of water. The dog runs up a 30ft ramp and launches itself into the air in the hope of catching it.

Whichever pet jumps the farthest wins the prize.



The current British record holder is Dash, a labrador-pointer cross from Newmarket, Suffolk, with a leap of 28ft - not far short of the 29ft 41/2 in human world record.

Last year up to 700 dogs at a time entered six 'Dash 'n' Splash' contests held across southern England, and more events are planned for this summer.



The jumps are measured electronically and there is a supervisor in the 4ft-deep water to help the dog get out.



[caption]

Organiser Anton Wittwer said: 'There is a lot of noise and kids love to sit right next to the pool because they get wet.

The current British record holder is Dash, a labrador-pointer cross from Newmarket, Suffolk, with a leap of 28ft - not far short of the 29ft 41/2 in human world record.

Last year up to 700 dogs at a time entered six 'Dash 'n' Splash' contests held across southern England, and more events are planned for this summer.

The jumps are measured electronically and there is a supervisor in the 4ft-deep water to help the dog get out.

Organiser Anton Wittwer said: 'There is a lot of noise and kids love to sit right next to the pool because they get wet.