2025 Florida State UpDog Championship
- Rob Robinson
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
UpDog challenge hosts many of the countries best at the 2025 Florida State Championship
Special Photo-Feature:
2025 Florida State UpDog Championship
Florida Horse Park
November 15th-16th, 2025
[galleries below]
This year’s event was held at the expansive Florida Horse Park near Ocala, Florida. Teams came from across the U.S. and as far as Wisconsin for the weekend’s games. UpDog continues to grow since becoming recognized by AKC for Disc Dog Titles.
It was a truly fun weekend with cool mornings and warm afternoons on both days. Teams took on a wide variety of UpDog games. From Freestyle to a variety of timed and distance games, there was something for everyone.
The start of disc dog
The story goes that it all started in 1972 when a young man named Alex Stein crashed a Dodgers game with his dog, “Ashley Whippet” and though he was arrested for trespass, Alex and Ashleigh had enough time and his Frisbee to excite the crowd and be seen on the national broadcast of the game. This has cemented Ashley Whippet as a legend in Disc Dog history.
The reality is, as long as there have been Discs and dogs, they have gone together. Over the decades since, several leagues have evolved around the USA and Internationally. The contests usually have been one of - or a combination of distance, timed and “Freestyle” games.
What is UpDog Challenge?
It is true that Frisbee (Called Disc for trademark reasons) Dog Leagues have been around for decades, but some believe the focus on disc skill and rigid points system to advance is too restrictive for the wider community of people who like to throw Frisbees with their own pup.
UpDog Challenge started as an idea between some friends one day.
Kat and Jack Fahle, Bryan Batchelder, Andrea and Jason Rigler, and Babz Mahoney all had different motivations to add a new league in 2014. By this time there were others in the US and around the world that have been established for decades. They still felt something was
missing, and all agreed to do something about that.
“We want more people to play with their dogs, be active and social together for their dogs” – Jack Fahle
Today the UpDog Challenge has its HQ Dade City, FL. with 2nd in office in Eureka MO.
Bring on the Games!
Imagination and cheeky word play are hallmarks of the games available.
The games have names like Far Out, Four Way Play, Freestyle, Frizgility, FunKey, Seven Up, and Spaced Out, and range from variants of common distance games to clever hybrids that include elements of both Disc and Agility.
UpDog is dedicated to expanding the awareness and participation of people and dogs in athletic endeavors. – UpDog Challenge
To encourage and expand opportunities for all dogs and their humans, UpDog Challenge includes many categories that include (not restricted to) Size of Dogs, and level of player in “Achievements”.
The “Achievements” are the leagues unique way to see all participants can see reward and sense of advancing through the wide variety of games. You do not need to participate in all games, and in fact, you don’t even need to be that great to feel a sense of satisfaction and rewards. There is nothing that serious about UpDog Challenge. It’s all about having fun with your dog.
You will have fun (Play), you will earn achievements (Achieve), and you and your dog will learn and grow. (Expand) - UpDog Challenge
Is it safe?
Probably the greatest stigma of Disc Dog among many people is the question of safety. With the dogs often pushed to extremes in games like Freestyle. This is a reasonable concern and one that all the Disc Dog organizations have faced. Currently the common restrictions include age requirements for dogs to compete in various games. This is to allow for the dog’s full development physically and avoid permanent injury. Additionally, there is a very strong emphasis on the dog’s health and athletic training to limit any risk of injury. As with any athletes, sprains and bumps along the way cannot be totally prevented, but UpDog Challenge is serious about ensuring that your pups’ chance of any harm is minimized.
- The Right “Discs”!
UpDog Challenge is very flexible with the discs allowed with one caveat. They must be approved for use with dogs. An important (and common) mistake is using potentially dangerous discs with your dog.
UpDog recommended discs
Many store-bought discs are too brittle or hard and can splinter and crack causing injury. Bad Azz Dogz STRONGLY encourages you to do your research to ensure your own pup stays safe while playing.
Wrapping up
The UpDog Challenge is likely the fastest growing Dog Sports league anywhere, and largely because of their core commitments to making their games as welcoming to a four-year-old as to a forty-year-old.
Getting Started
- Step one is easy. Get a safe disc, go outside with your dog and start playing.
- Step two – Get in touch with a local club or just come to one of the many Disc Dog events that continue to increase around the state.
* Can’t Find One?
Make sure to Like Bad Azz Dogz on Facebook and follow the official UpDog Challenge Discussion Facebook Page.
Enjoy our very special photo-feature of some Bad Azz Dogz and their humans! SHARE your favorites and please contact us at info@badazzdogz.net if a vet or first responder wanting to learn more.
PHOTO-FEATURE
CAUTION:
The Gallery is best viewed on a PC. The large file sizes and may burden any portable tablet or smart phone. ? [Need help downloading my pictures] ?
More Information: - Updog Challenge
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