chloebear Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 (edited) I am thinking about getting involved in agility training, what breeds of dog should I be considering. My current dog is a cross breed from the pound, but she is very timid so I don't think Holly would go to well. Do I need to have a pure breed dog to be able to compete? Edited October 8, 2007 by chloebear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rhapsodical78 Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 I guess you can use just about any breed for agility, but if you want to be competitive some breeds obviously excel more than others. Many of the herding breeds tend to do well; kelpies, border collies, coolies, shetland sheepdogs and some of the gun dogs also excel, such as the springer spaniel. Terriers are also great, fiery little dogs, particularly your JRT who tends to be quite bouncy. Working line GSDs and mailnois can be exceptional but as with the herding breeds, tend to need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. I guess you have to weigh up the other characteristics of each breed to see which suits you best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 I am thinking about getting involved in agility training, what breeds of dog should I be considering. My current dog is a cross breed from the pound, but she is very timid so I don't think Holly would go to well. Do I need to have a pure breed dog to be able to compete? Hi Chloe, Crossbreeds can compete in agility, including ANKC agility in Qld these days. Agility can be a great confidence builder for timid dogs so don't rule Holly out just yet. Basically any breed can have a go but breeds with longer legs for their body length tend to dominate. In the smaller dogs you see quite a few Papillons, poodles and Shelties. Working breeds like Border Collies, Koolies and Kelpies dominate the place getters around her but the lighter set spaniels and utility gundog breeds also do well at the larger heights. Buy a breed you like first and foremost - you only do agility part time - you have to live with the dog all the time. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvawilow Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 rhapsodical78 has pretty much sumed up what I was thinking! If I was after a dog for agility I'd be looking in the working dog group. I have a border collie x who is very keen for agility&tracking&obedience&herding&flyball& anything you throw at her :D I also have 2 australian shepherds, they are both keen and happy when doing agility. My last girl is a gundog x who isn't really keen on agility, she does love obedeince and is loving learning tracking though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 I love agility but would be very unlikely to get a working dog, not the sort of dog I want around the house. I think firstly you should pick something you will enjoy living with, then look at it's structure to see if it will be OK to jump, ie not too heavy etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witheverythingiam Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Boxers make great agility dogs. They love doing "fun" sports, and naturally excel at bouncing & kidney bean-ing - exactly what is needed to make a great agility dog! -WithEverythingIAm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Holly may surprise you. In any case take her along and see. If you want to enjoy a sport with your dog you don't need any particular breed. If you want to compete seriously and competitively then look to working border collies who move faster than a speeding bullet You have to learn too though so Holly may well be the perfect dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sezy Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 I agree with most of the comments here. Try Holly first she may surprise you. I have a Border Collie cross who would prefer to be out chasing a ball rather then do agility and then I have a border that would do anything to be able to do so don't just get another dog to be able to try it as you never know the dog may not like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 (edited) Hands down the fastest dog I have seen around at the moment is a Manchester Terrier I know of a person who got a working Kelpie because it would be a super agility dog. Is driving the owner completely nuts and the owner is just not enjoying the dog at all. That is why I recommend getting a dog you can live with as the no 1 most important thing. Edited October 8, 2007 by helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monah Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 A vizsla of course!!! But you have to be with them most of the time, indoors, and HEAPS of kisses and cuddles. Superfast and super intelligent!! I've seen 3 manchesters (one family) doing agility, and yes they are terrific at it and a nice sized, neat dog. My ohs cousin has a tentie who has her highest agility trophies etc., she's been faster than all the borders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvawilow Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Hands down the fastest dog I have seen around at the moment is a Manchester TerrierI know of a person who got a working Kelpie because it would be a super agility dog. Is driving the owner completely nuts and the owner is just not enjoying the dog at all. That is why I recommend getting a dog you can live with as the no 1 most important thing. I hear you Helen, a dog that you can live with is the most important thing! I haven't seen the Manchester run, I'll have to keep my eye out. My girl Kira isn't everybody's cup of tea, she is always on the go and needs to be challenged mentally, not just physically. That's why I got a gundog next, however I'm finding her low drive just as challenging as Kira's high drive. My Aussie's are great, keen to work but then will switch off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiechick Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 The very best breed for agility is any breed you can love ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Our local dog club has all sorts of crossbreeds doing agility- but many are there just for fun, not for competition level. They've started introducing elements of agility to keep people interested in the beginner classes, also (short tunnels, very low jumps etc.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Doggie Rescue has quite a few dogs that would be great at agility - all crossbreeds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pug Hugger Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 not a pug - Louie is the sweetest little klutz I have ever seen! I have a Border COllie who I used to do recreational agility with - he was fantastic and I swear that it kept him young, he celebrates his 18th birthday in February! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Hands down the fastest dog I have seen around at the moment is a Manchester TerrierI know of a person who got a working Kelpie because it would be a super agility dog. Is driving the owner completely nuts and the owner is just not enjoying the dog at all. That is why I recommend getting a dog you can live with as the no 1 most important thing. I hear you Helen, a dog that you can live with is the most important thing! I haven't seen the Manchester run, I'll have to keep my eye out. My girl Kira isn't everybody's cup of tea, she is always on the go and needs to be challenged mentally, not just physically. That's why I got a gundog next, however I'm finding her low drive just as challenging as Kira's high drive. My Aussie's are great, keen to work but then will switch off! I call him SuperSam. He is one great little dog. I love the Aussies, didn't know you had any, but you should just get yourself a Brittany next time LOL. Anyway good news, I have someone to run Bella at Ballarat if I am still injured Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybeece Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 My current dog is a cross breed from the pound, but she is very timid so I don't think Holly would go to well. As has already been mentioned agility might be a good confidence booster for her My boy can be a bit timid about things he hasn't come across before and isn't a big fan of trying anything new. But he LOVES agility equipment even after one go at it. I take him on children's playgrounds whenever I can too and it's really done a lot for his confidence and willingness to try something a little different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassie Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 How about a Saint Bernard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayreovi Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 The very best breed for agility is any breed you can love ! I agree, get a breed that you can live with first and then (if well structured) have a go at agility. Though must say i chose my breed with doing dog sports in mind but if i only wanted a dog to do sports with i would have gotten a working BC/Kelpie but my dogs are pets first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted October 10, 2007 Share Posted October 10, 2007 A dane! Australia's Most titled Dane Aust Ch Thunderfire Brliantcsaba SPD, SD, GD, ADX, JDX, ADO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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