Joan

Thanks for all your comments. I have done a lot of research on the lovely JP and I think mine is on the tall side. I work hard at keeping his food down (he loves food) and feed him vegetables as treats. I still think he has been measured incorrectly as I can get no where near that size when I measure (I know he is hard to measure). He loves agility and seeing all his friends so I will probably continue to compete but I would like to hear from another agility person to know how they keep their Jap Spitz motivated. As I previously said Kumo can be very good when he wants to be but usually at a trial he turns off - every JP owner has probably experienced this - whats in it for me! or "not today thanks"

I recently had to have my Jap spitz measured for the new agility rules. I had been trialling him at 370mm which is tall for a Jap Spitz (breed standard is to 360 mm). I know that he is hard to measure as the breed does not like strangers but he was measured at 381 mm which I makes him a very big Japanese Spitz. I expressed my concern at their measuring but can't do anything about it. This means my dog will have to jump at a much higher height which I don't like as I think it puts too much strain on him and am thinking of giving up the sport but don't really want to as we both enjoy it. Does anyone know of a Jap spitz this big and do you think it would be too stressful on his body to keep competing at higher heights>

Helen, I am very interested in your report, particularly about the Japanese Spitz. I have a JS competing in Agility. We have our jumping title and one pass in agility. He can do everything quite well when he chooses. I know this is typical of the breek but can be frustrating. My main problem is speed. I know we will never get a pass in open jumping - he can do a fault free course but is way over time. I try to keep training short and fun. I would love to know the secret.