MIDDLEBORO — Dog lovers jumped for joy at Battis Field when Mike Piazza’s Flying High Dogs leaped into the air to catch Frisbees and capture the crowd’s attention.

The dogs performed to a crowd of about 100 people Aug. 2 who braved the heat to watch the show, which was hosted by the Middleboro Library.

Piazza is a multiple time world finalist and world record holder in the sport of K-9 frisbee. The Nahant resident holds the title of the world’s top professional K-9 Frisbee performer.

His act features border collies, which he described as a particularly intelligent and athletic breed. 

The dogs also have a physical characteristic _ a long nose _ that he said “makes it easier for them to catch the Frisbee.’’

His canines jumped several feet in the air to catch Frisbees tossed by Piazza _ and by members of the audience. 

Participants of varying ages lined up to toss the discs to the dogs and see which could go the farthest. Piazza also called on volunteers to serve as helpers and collect the errant frisbees.

The dogs’ natural exuberance and ability may give them a paw up over other breeds, but the border collies still need to practice every day, Piazza told the audience.

Although the border collies travel across the state to entertain, they primarily serve as his pets, Piazza said as he gave the animals plenty of head scratches and positive interactions.

That affection for dogs was shared by audience members.

Aliya Brugliera, 16 months, of Bridgewater, “loves dogs,’’ her mother, Lisa Brugliera said. “When I saw they were having this, I decided to make the trip.’’

Gwen Hanson, 12, of Middleboro, can relate to the expression “All dogs are therapy dogs most are just freelancing.’’

“I like dogs,’’ she said. “They’re nice to me and they help me get through hard times.’’

The program tends to be a “crowd favorite,’’ youth services librarian Amanda Meyer explained of the choice to bring the dogs to Middleboro. 

They fit, she noted, with the summer reading theme of “Read Beyond the Beaten Path.’’

In addition to supporting reading, the program encourages youngsters to “get outside as well,’’ in this case enjoying a dog day afternoon.