The Best Sports For Animal Lovers

Humans and animals have such a special connection that it turns out we can even work together in the name of sport.

If you adore animals and want to enjoy them in every aspect of your life then finding an exciting sport that encompasses the natural world is a brilliant way to do it. These sports all rely on the athleticism of animals to bring them to life, so you're guaranteed to be transfixed. Some of them are even the kind of thing that you could try on your own if you wanted to.

Horse Racing

Horse racing is probably the sport that springs to mind as the best challenge for both man and beast combined. The other bonus is that you can bet on it! There are plenty of sites that will not only allow you to place bets, but will give you information on how to pick a likely winner. TVG Racebook offers tips from experts and lets you stream races that you've bet on for free.

If you're not as interested in the betting side of things, but still find the racing fascinating then you're not only tied to watching live races. There are plenty of documentaries and films about famous racehorses from over the years. The world of horse racing loves the a rags to riches story, so you'll find plenty of tear-jerking films about underdog horses whose bold nature saw them rise to the top of their field.

Flyball

Of all of the sports on this list, flyball is probably the most accessible if you're looking for a game to get involved in, that is if you have a dog of course! Flyball is a sport for dogs and their owners that consists of a course of jumps leading up to a pad with a ball on it. The owner has to teach the dog to jump over each of the hurdles, collect the ball, then race back through the hurdles to the beginning of the course again.

Flyball is usually played in teams, but there's no reason you can't set up a course in your own back garden. When it comes to elite-level competitions, the fastest breeds always win. Nifty, agile dogs like border collies and whippets tend to perform well at this level, but at a local level, any dog who enjoys a game of fetch will have a great time. The American Kennel Club and Crufts are both big supporters of this exhilarating sport, so it's easy to catch on television if you want to have a look before you leap.

Dog Sledding

If you enjoy sports that are set in gorgeous scenery then dog sledding could be your new favourite pastime. Dog sledding has been around for centuries, as a way for people to transport themselves and goods from one place to another. It is thought to have originated in snowy countries, where teams of sled dogs would pull a wooden toboggan across the snow for their masters. Nowadays dog sledding takes place all over the world, but sledding breeds like huskies still outperform all others.

If you're lucky enough to have a big, strong dog with energy to burn then it's the kind of activity that you can both get involved in. You don't need snow either! Some dog sleds are built with flexible wheels that can be used on all kinds of terrain and although a little more niche than some of the sports on this list, there are still plenty of clubs that will let you try out with them.

Greyhound Racing

It's not only horses that can race and greyhounds prove that time and time again. The nice thing about this sport is that it's really easy to stream the action online, so you needn't ever miss out on any big races. Greyhounds were bred for their incredible speed which they originally used to catch rabbits and hare. Thanks to selective breeding over centuries, they are one of the only dog breeds that experience a moment of suspension when they run. Horses too experience this moment where all four feet are off the ground, so perhaps that's why they both have such successful racing careers.