Gsd & Agility?

[kelpiechick]

The Kelpies are much more aware of where things are, would not dream of running into something, very rarely drop bars, are more sensitive to things moving under their feet and respond quicker to body language/directional changes of handler.

Sorry to disagree, but I think drive & temperament come into it too, there are lines of dogs that have such drive they really don't care about running into things & I would probably put some lines of kelpies at the top of this list.

Kavik, I run 2 kelpies in agility and neither are what I would call big bar knockers. (although we did a lot jump foundation training before they ever got to string jumps together on a course) The younger of the two jumps 600 - missed out by 5mm on jumping 500 and still has no problem with bars. Biggest problem I have with him is because he jumps so long compared to my 500 dog, I am not always fast enough to be where I need to be - but am working on it.

I think the 'lines' comments in kelpies is true in that there can be a massive difference in temperaments, etc. - but must admit I haven't seen too many lines with little sense of self preservation - although I'm sure they are out there. As a generalisation, in Vic. anyway, the BC's jump way flatter than the kelpies - and are way bigger bar knockers. The trend in agility at the moment here is that a handful of judges are starting to put down what I would call 'speed courses' in Masters - a nice change from the usual tight crap we still get most of the time - and the BC's are totally wrecking them, but the kelpies are keeping the bars up and dominating on these type of courses. (Getting a kelpie to work close to you and turn tight - that's another matter!)

I don't think drive and self preservation are mutually exclusive - trend here with the 'over the top drive' dogs is that some trainers are not teaching any self control exercises in the fear that it will ruin the drive, which I don't agree with, think it's more like the way control is taught in some cases that does the damage.

Vickie, do you think the jump style and tendency to bar knock in BC's is line related, training related, combination of both or generic to BC's ? Just curious as I've never taught a BC to jump before and would really like to hear thoughts from someone experienced with BC's.

To the OP, many apologies for hijacking your thread - hope you've been convinced to give agility a go when the time is right. Personally, I like to see lots of other breeds out there doing well and not just the BC's and kelpies - makes life much more interesting.

[Sankari]

Funny you say that KC, i rarely see many breeds than Kelpies and Border Collies doing it. I'm going down to give agility a go this sunday. I have a Golden Retriever. A BC owner conned me into it Charlotte does Obedience but i think she would really love agility. I just need to get her perfected in her drop then i am trialling her in CCD when she gets her CCD i'll be happy and she is still young 4yrs just about. For now i'd love her to do agility for fun

[kelpiechick]

Funny you say that KC, i rarely see many breeds than Kelpies and Border Collies doing it.

Think they just seem to get the most 'profile' for some reason

At the Club where I train we have several Golden Retrievers who do well in agility. One has Masters titles.

Apart from Kelpies and BC's we also have (off the top of my head ......) ACD's, GSD's, Aussie Shepherds, Labs, Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Tollers, Rough Collies, Poodles, Koolies, Pomeranian, Jack Russell, Tibetan Spaniel, Shelties, Papillon, Boxers.... and I'm sure there are many I've left out.

I think most breeds can be successful with the right mindset and training. Hope you have fun on Sunday.

[all that glitters]

Thanks guys! We may have a go at agility sometime later when shes over a year old or even 2yrs old. I think she would really enjoy it, as she loves training, and applying it to obstacles and energetic exercises would be great!