Border Collie Sports

[DeltaCharlie]

As some of you know, I have Delta the Border Collie and Charlie the Kelpie/Cattle. We currently do obedience, agility, flyball, and herding. When Im a bit fitter Im looking at doing the Endurance Test with them. We have our hands full learning these at the moment but Im figuring that somewhere down the track Id like to do different sports with them and if I could do some foundation work with them now it might make it easier when the time comes. Im thinking frisbee would be the next step but I have no idea where that is held in Sydney.

There are so many sports around but I have no idea what ones would suit a border collie or kelpie. Which sports do people see these breeds at?

- I dont think either of them even realise they have a nose so tracking could be frustrating.

- Delta would possibly chase a lure but I cant see her coming close to a sighthound.

- Charlie would probably love dock diving but I dont even know if that is done in Australia If it is- where?

What other sports are there? Some they cant do because of their breeds (earthdog, schutzund) but there must be others around.

[kelpiesrule]

Some friends of mine up here in Brissie do Backpacking and Gig racing with their borders, through the Malamute clubs... maybe you could see if there is anyone down there that does the same thing.

If your dogs have a nose for food, or their fave toy, they should be able to do tracking.

With Lure Coursing, you are put in individual areas so you really arent competing against the sight hounds, my friends as above also do lure coursing with their borders, there is also a section for non pedigree dogs.

[MrsD]

Hi Kelpies rule just realised who you are (we have a trailer that used to be yours :p ).

DeltaCharlie, I do obedience, frisbee, herding & canine freestyle with my kelpie & BC. Unfortunately as far as I know there is no frisbee club in Sydney or elsewhere, only Brisbane at this stage. You do however have a very keen & flourishing canine freestyle following in Sydney, if you want contact details let me know.

We are also going to start agility this year, I think those 5 activities will keep us busy for quite a while to come .

[bridgie_cat]

I feel the better question with a border or kelpie is what CANT you do

sounds like you are doing lots already! endurance, doggy dancing, frisbee, tracking...

eta - with tracking, are they food mad? you could try the thing where you put a bit of food into each step etc... but you have to be careful about how you lay the track etc so as not to confuse them!

Edited January 6, 2008 by bridgie_cat

[PAX]

I'm the same, what can't a Border Collie do?

[DeltaCharlie]

Hahaha, yes I have often been told I am cheating by owning border collies Apparently it is the easy way to get through life with dogs lol

Im thinking a fair bit in the future. I have split the dogs for now, both do herding, Charlie does obedience and flyball, Delta does agility twice a week. Charlie just couldn't handle agility and flyball at the same time- he would completely forget what he was doing at flyball (which is a fairly straightforward sport lol) so in the end I stopped his agility until he is 100% with the flyball. Delta had already done some obedience when I got Charlie so that is on hold for her at the moment while he works at it. She can learn flyball once Charlie is reliable with it. So, they both have many years of training for those sports in them but they love learning new things so Id like to keep teaching them a range of sports throughout their life rather than do the same ones.

[MrsD]

Bridgie Cat & PAX - good point :D :D .