Small Breeds For Competition?

[CaseyKay]

I have competed with my border collie in agility, obedience and tracking. She has been successful in all of these. She is not quite 7 years old but an ongoing limp recently led us to x-ray her and she has quite bad arthritis in her elbow. At the moment the x-rays have been sent to a specialist to see if she needs an operation. Regardless she won't be doing any more jumping activities. I am hoping at the moment she can improve to the point where we can continue with tracking, or at least obedience. as showing a limping dog is frowned upon. I hope so because she is not a dog that is really happy being "just a pet" (she is mostly working lines). She is on house rest and metacam for 2 weeks at the moment.

We have another BC who is 5 and due to a head trauma as a puppy has some slight neurological issues and is on medication for seizures (she still has seizures occasionally). I train her for fun but she is not really suitable for competitions. KC is still the best dog ever :D although she is not from working lines we have used her as a working cattle dog in the past. Her main speciality is being cute.

My husband thinks now would be a good time to get a puppy although I am still on the fence, he thinks if I wait another few years the girls won't cope well with a puppy. I would love a new dog to train up and compete with. I grew up with working farm border collies and so did OH. Neither of us have had another breed. We live in town on a smallish section (750m2). Due to her vision problems KC is not great with dogs that are very bouncy or want to play rough games. Maddie the other BC doesnt really do play and is happy for KC to be the boss of her, so that is okay. I have found that KC is really good with small dogs and will play with them. KC is small herself, she weighs 12kg. I also worry that if Maddie is going to have joint problems I don't want a very full on dog for a third dog.

Here are some breeds we are considering, and wonder if anyone who owns these breeds would have any input, or if there are other breeds we should consider. I should note I want a dog that is happy to work but don't need to win everything, it is very much a hobby for me. Especially interested in small breeds that people have done tracking with. I don't like terrier breeds. I would prefer a purebred and not a crossbred and a puppy not a rescue (no issues with rescues, my last two were, just with KC issues it would be easier).

Due to me working days and OH working 3pm-11pm, the dogs are alone only about an hour a day during the week.

Sheltie (shyness?)

Cavalier (concern with health issues)

Toy or Miniature poodle (possible husband issue with "foo foo" dog)

Papillon (possibly too small)

I guess these 4 are the traditional smaller sports breeds. There are some another breeds I really like the looks of, such as tibetan spaniel but doubt their suitability for sports. I don't want a breed that would be unhappy competing. Feel free to PM me with any ideas.

[SueM]

I would go a sheltie or a cav have seen plenty doing well in obedience etc, I myself have a chihuahua I compete with but seem to be the only person doing so...

[Henrietta]

I have seen a Sheltie at obedience, it did really well.

I am no expert, but I certainly think that all breeds are capable, maybe it's just up to the individual.

I have a Chi that I am starting agility with soon, if she enjoys it that's great, if not we will just concentrate on obedience. It's a fun thing for us, I don't even know if we would trial, but I would not rule that out. I am just very much an amatuer right now. :D

I have heard that pappies can be very good at agility, very fast apparently. I remember asking when I first got my little one about suitably for agility and everyone said that there is nothing stopping a little dog from competing (just because it is little) and they also mentioned pappies. I'll see if I can go and find the link.

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...&hl=agility

ETA - found link

ETA again - I know poodles are renowned for their trainability! I mean every dog is trainable of course, some more than others in any breed, but I think if I was going to get a dog for competition out of those breeds you mentioned, I would be seriously looking into the poodle (without ruling any of them out though )

Edited October 8, 2007 by Emmala

[JJay]

I am starting agility classes with a local club with my smooth Griffon Bruxellois. I muck around at home and she is very enthusiastic, quick, agile and a fast learner. They average between 3 - 5 kilo so they are between Chi and Cav size and you can also get long haired ones. They are unusual in the face so maybe not to everyone's liking! From your selections I would go Sheltie as that type of dog fits closest into the type you already prefer. Just find a breeder who takes temperament seriously and really socialise it between 8 - 12 weeks and the "shyness" shouldn't be an issue. I have seen several in the agility arena and doing quite well. A whippet could be an option, fast! Plus a Brittany is a handy size and very athletic. Happy hunting and I hope you find the dog you want.

[ness]

There are certainly some sheltie lines that are very out-going and seem to not have some of the shyness issues that are found in some lines. I would have recommended either a sheltie or a pap. Both make terrific small competition breeds. I would probably lean more towards a sheltie then a pap but I know of a number of BC breeders who actually have a pap as there second breed.

[JulesP]

Another small herding dog to consider is a corgi.

[Poodle wrangler]

Poodles don't have to be frou frou sorts of dogs- you can clip them however you like. You won't have fur all over your car, either, but they do need clipping every 4-6 weeks and brushing twice a week (if short). Poodles can be cool, too :D

poodlefan does dog sports with her poodles. I hope she doesn't mind me putting up a couple of her pics that she's posted b4.

[Silvawilow]

I was at a trial in Albury in March and saw 2 tibetian spaniels competing in both the obedeince and agility rings, they were from NSW I think :D

Another small working breed that was there was a Swedish Valhund (spl?), I know this particular little dog does tracking as well as obedience, lovely little dog.

Of the the breeds you've listed I'd go for the cavy, seen quiet a few competing in the higher levels of obedience and agility.

Good luck!

[jesomil]

Another small herding dog to consider is a corgi.

I was going to suggest this too. I competed in Obedience with a Pembroke and she was awesome. They are sensible dogs that still have that working dog nature in a smaller package.

My girl had (still has but she lives with mum), fantastic drives for training and was so keen and easy to train. She is now 10 and will still bust her guts to be put through a heeling pattern as she loves it so much.

There are several Obedience Champion Pembrokes. Many of them have excelled in tracking too.

[poodlefan]

For obedience AND agility I'd be looking for a dog from proven performance lines and would look at breeds including:

Poodle - Toy or Mini

Papillon - If you don't want a show dog, there are larger dogs around that jump 300

Sheltie - but choose very very carefully. I see far too many timid Shelties

Swedish Valhund... longer legs than a Corgi and very very capable little sports dogs

Cocker Spaniel - choose carefully but there are some really great little sports cockers around.

CKCS but again choose from a breeder who's got dogs out there performing. Quite a few Cavs appear to lack drive.

Edited October 8, 2007 by poodlefan

[Monah]

:D My husbands cousin has a 7 year old female desexed tenterfield who has her agility champion (oh dear I don't know what it's called, but she cannot go any higher, she has gone as far as she can, top of the tops), and she is also a tracking champion. She's a very amazing little thing and very capable of keeping up with my viz on long walks (10 ks or longer!!). She also runs by the bike and is very loving and cuddly too. She has the longer legs that some of them have. I'm not a big tentie person, but she's really amazing, so is her mum (retired).

I've seen min schnauzers do really well too. There are probably many others. Oh yeh, someone comes here and competes with 3 manchester terriers. They all look identical (to me!!!), and are thoroughly fantastic! I think I'll be after one one day.xxx And of course it goes without saying, poodle!!!!!!

[Arya]

For my money (since you can't get miniature GSDs or Mals LOL :D ) I would have a Sheltie from good lines ANY DAY!!! I never thought I'd say that but I know of a lady in Vic who has two and these dogs are tracking champs and also she is a wonderful trainer and these dogs work as good as any bigger breed I have seen. She did say to me you have to get the right lines though so I'd ask around but BOY ARE THEY GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone who has read Scott and Fuller Genetics and the Social Behaviour of the Dog though could tell you that they do seem to be timid in general. So I'd choose carefully. I am encouraging my daughter to get one though.

[Seita]

I would probably also have to vote for a Sheltie! I have trained and competed with one in agility for several years and she really was an awesome little thing! Do pick your lines carefully as they can be prone to shyness but they are a fantastic little breed!

[BC]

The smaller dogs I regularly see do very well in obedience trials are:

Cavalier KCS

Sheltie

Corgi

Minature Poodle

With the health problems you were wary about with Cavs, its like any breed, do your research on the breeders and lines, and you should not have any real problems.

You can also de-frou frou poodles, although I like them all tizzed up Just keep their coat short and ditch the ears and top knot and there you go, no more frou !!!!

All of these dogs can work very nicely indeed :rolleyes:

[CaseyKay]

Thanks guys! I have only met one sheltie that has a temperament I like, the majority are very shy. I love the looks of the breed though. But I see too many that are constantly shuffling around trying to keep their owner between them and Scary Other People. How would one go about finding suitable lines? I live in New Zealand. Not too keen on corgis, we had a pembroke next door when I was growing up and he was a nasty ankle bitey dog. Put me off for life.

In terms of soundness of temperament and physical ability I personally think poodles would be the best bet. Would just need to persuade OH they aren't girly poofy dogs. If I was getting a dog just as a pet, I would definately go for the Cav. Argh.

[BC]

Thanks guys! I have only met one sheltie that has a temperament I like, the majority are very shy. I love the looks of the breed though. But I see too many that are constantly shuffling around trying to keep their owner between them and Scary Other People. How would one go about finding suitable lines? I live in New Zealand. Not too keen on corgis, we had a pembroke next door when I was growing up and he was a nasty ankle bitey dog. Put me off for life.

In terms of soundness of temperament and physical ability I personally think poodles would be the best bet. Would just need to persuade OH they aren't girly poofy dogs. If I was getting a dog just as a pet, I would definately go for the Cav. Argh.

There are a few cavs competing in UD !!!!!! But poodles are very versatile little dogs and can excel at either obedience or agility.

[Tangwyn]

Hi there,

I would definitely consider a Sheltie - I have taken two of them through to CDX titles with no worries at all - but they shed ALOT of hair. I didn't have temperament problems with mine but, like any breed, you need to get stock from the right bloodline.

If I was buying myself a small breed right now it would be a Toy Poodle for sure. I think they've got it all - non-shed coat, intelligence, trainability and high drive.

Happy choosing!

[cowanbree]

Sheltie breeder and owner of 20 years here. I think the first thing you have to consider when looking at a sheltie is their temperament and if it will fit into your household. The sheltie standard reads should be reserved with strangers. Don’t mistake this as timid, it simply means they have little to no interest in people who are not part of their family. If you are looking for a mini border type temperament that isn’t a sheltie. For example if you visited my house I would not expect any of my dogs to go bounding up to you but after you had been accepted into the house and had been sitting on the couch they will come up for a pat. This is vastly different from a sheltie that is hiding under the couch and would never come near a stranger.

If you are a serious competitor you also need to consider drive. The soft smoochy temperaments that make lovely pets quite simply are too soft for obedience. They can compete of course but are more of a challenge to train and I find never make the top grade. The ones you actually want are the pups that need a job, and yes they are out there. Can you tell that many years ago I used to do obedience

[carabelle]

I started Agility last night with my Papillon, he was one of 3 there last night, one of which is well advanced and the other a new starter also, though he is a CD. My Papillon is large but the others are of standard size. My boy had a great time, he is really fast and ran as fast as the Border Collies, and is a great jumper. Other small breeds there were Jack Russells and a few mutts. To my knowledge Papillons are well regarded in Agility as they are fast movers and intelligent.

Have fun with your next breed.

Edited October 11, 2007 by carabelle

[MrsD]

Go the sheltie!!!!

Not that Im biased of course .

My boy is outgoing, very friendly with everyone, people & dogs alike, full of life & courage. You couldnt ask for a better little dog .