Choosing A Dog For Dog Sports?

[The Spotted Devil]

TSD - What a cracker of a dog! Awesome

Thanks Kavik - she's just wonderful and funny and enthusiastic and perfect for me.

Hey Bec This one's for you.....I thanked her breeder for sending us the "feral" one and she said that was all part of the plan :D

She's coiled like a spring, waiting for me to say "OK!", so she can hoon up the hill again. Be careful what you wish for

[Podengo]

This is a really interesting thread thanks guys! I am currently trying to find the "perfect" breed for our household that will also be an agility star! I have always had and loved Dobermans, but we live in quite a small house with a small garden, and this will be my partner's first dog, and I'm not sure if I want to throw him in the deep end with a Doberdemon puppy! Looking at small/medium breeds, not so keen on terriers (personal preference) or typical small dog temperaments... I think my list so far is Iggies, Whippets and Miniature poodles...

[poodlefan]

This is a really interesting thread thanks guys! I am currently trying to find the "perfect" breed for our household that will also be an agility star! I have always had and loved Dobermans, but we live in quite a small house with a small garden, and this will be my partner's first dog, and I'm not sure if I want to throw him in the deep end with a Doberdemon puppy! Looking at small/medium breeds, not so keen on terriers (personal preference) or typical small dog temperaments... I think my list so far is Iggies, Whippets and Miniature poodles...

Of those three (and I own two of them), I'd go the poodle - look at toys and miniatures.

[Mason_Gibbs]

Choose a breed or dog you want to live with.

If (as has happened to me) the dog cannot do the sports you wish to do, you'll still be happy with your choice.

Given all of that, some dog will make better agility prospects than others. Any breeds interest you more than others?

100% agree, for me its more important that a dog fit in with our family and the dog get along with any other family dogs then the importance for trialling ability

Edited August 18, 2011 by Mason2009

[corvus]

Don't overlook Vallhunds. ;) Small and portable, but tough and outgoing. I am yet to see Erik tired of training. He will happily go for an hour straight without flagging, and he'll bark if you pause for more than a few seconds. He throws himself into everything he does, often with a determined little growl that is really cute. He's like "Rrrr, I'm so gonna own this." He will give anything a go and often learns in 3 reps. He is noisy, and too clever by half, and he can be a handful at times, but I've never met a more engaging dog. Everything we do is the most interesting thing he's seen all day. He is fascinated with people's faces, and he is full of these impossibly bright and engaging looks like he's just bursting with life. He has so much personality I swear it sloshes out of him in great waves. He is an absolute cuddle fiend and he is currently tucked under a blankie spooning with OH on the couch because that's how OH likes to snuggle. I think OH spends more time cuddling Erik than he does me. :p

[skip]

Good advice! thanks.

TSD

I could stop looking now if you could just send EM over. :D She did more running in that video than my dog would do in a week or more. She looks in great shape and she is smaller than I expected. How tall does she grow to ? Looks like you have done some great work training wise too.

I did meet some Brittany's but not sure they were for me. I have noticed the rescue ESS in the RSPCA lockup in TAS. Shame he is so far away. "Milo" is on the rescue page here on this site. Dogs NSW article about ESS said that they could be more energetic than some people could handle. He looks so good,think he would play? but would he be "birdy" as he is so untrained.

I do like Em ( a lot). And I must tell you that here in Wollongong we have a spotty dog called Poppy (rescue) competing who is just fantastic in agility. I've run her at training and when you release her she just lets loose.! Despite a few little distractions in the odd run she is just awesome!

Thanks Woofen for the rescue dog site ..will look at that.

I have only seen one aussie shep doing agility but it was funny because the dog was near my tent with 2 older people. The dog lazed round all day and was a fairly large build. Yet when the older bloke went to run her.... the dog was wild and so keen, I was really surprised. I saw him later to tell him how lovely she was and got the biggest cuddles. She sticks in my mind as a lovely dog (bit too big and fluffy for me to take home thou).

Manchester Terrier - nice dogs but I want something a bit more med size this time. like a 400-500 dog. I like Amypie's dogs thou. I do know someone with a great MT pup but I'm sure she also said agility wise the pup is not turning out like she hoped. she thinks her rescue x working dog is going so much better.

Amypie has hit the nail on the head with this thou...

"You could get an adult rescue, you will have an idea of how the dog is temperament wise etc but there is so much foundation that is put into a puppy, you basically have a clean slate."

This is my big choice really. I don't want to get a rescue if it puts me so much on the back foot to start with. I did consider a dog from a breeder at one time.

I had a good mini poodle picked out, spoke to the breeder and was waiting to see the pup on a Sat. But the Fri before I was having second thoughts cause I felt guilty not getting another rescue. However when I rang to confirm my visit to the pups I found I had missed out anyway. Poodle wise if I did get one now it would be a toy bred locally as my friend has 2 from this breeder and they are good.

poodlefan - in regards to individual dogs I've seen that I would take home Number one is Em now ;)

But it would be a black GSP (bred by L. Hammer), the odd kelpie x bc, a brittany that was feral I met on the beach one day, short coat working bc my friend owns and a young crazy viszla ( bred in Vic somewhere). Surprises me what dogs I have picked. Funnily no bc on this list. Oops.

Nice to be considering a new addition anyway. Ta for your input.

Oops, sorry Corvus, your dog , Valhunds are great dogs. I love some of Lisa's dogs. Not for me as in body height too short for what i want. I know that they get taken for a corgi by some but they are def not corgi like. Lisa's dogs are real characters.

Ta

[ness]

What about something like a German Pinscher - I don't know much about them other than my young girls breeder has one and I have seen one run locally in agility over here occasionally.

[Weasels]

I have only seen one aussie shep doing agility but it was funny because the dog was near my tent with 2 older people. The dog lazed round all day and was a fairly large build. Yet when the older bloke went to run her.... the dog was wild and so keen, I was really surprised. I saw him later to tell him how lovely she was and got the biggest cuddles. She sticks in my mind as a lovely dog (bit too big and fluffy for me to take home thou).

You can get tiny little working line Aussies, I've seen some I'd guess were about 15-16 kg (under all the soft gorgeous fur :p )

[wuffles]

I have only seen one aussie shep doing agility but it was funny because the dog was near my tent with 2 older people. The dog lazed round all day and was a fairly large build. Yet when the older bloke went to run her.... the dog was wild and so keen, I was really surprised. I saw him later to tell him how lovely she was and got the biggest cuddles. She sticks in my mind as a lovely dog (bit too big and fluffy for me to take home thou).

You can get tiny little working line Aussies, I've seen some I'd guess were about 15-16 kg (under all the soft gorgeous fur :p )

There aren't many working line Aussies in Australia, I think you'd have trouble finding one. However, there are some show line females that size! Also, Aussies come in a fair few different builds, my girl is more finely built with longer legs than most. She's just under 18kg, 50cm at the shoulder and she also doesn't have a huge amount of coat

[aussielover]

There are some gorgeous koolie (cross?) puppies that a DOLer is fostering in the rescue section.

They are adorable and koolies make wonderful agility dogs.

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/225102-speckled-bugs-too-cute-for-words/

[The Spotted Devil]

I'm glad you like her, skip - I think she's just perfect so I won't be sending her over just yet ;)

Em looks like she will be a 400 dog (which will be good for me with Ziggy in 600 - time to catch my breath when they are both in Masters!) Remember that she is a working line ESS, which is just about a separate breed from the show line ESS. They tend to be smaller and slightly longer than they are tall, with much less feathering and coat. The show ESS tends to be more square. Then there's the drive level - I have no doubt there are show ESS that are high energy but it's like a whole different world with a working line pup. There's a determination and focus that is incredible to have in a training partner - she blows my mind! She has been so much easier to train than my Dally but part of that is due to me learning from Zig - who, by the way, is one of the most fun dogs I've ever had the privilege to train - just completely different! In agility Zig is really picking up speed and is gaining in confidence but he needs my support, very clear handling and no hesitation on my part. Em will need very clear handling and no hesitation because otherwise she will have finished the course before I've thought about where obstacle 2 is She is very relaxed at home - at the moment she is restless because, being in season, I can't take her out and train her as I normally would, but normally she's just happy to curl up on the couch with the cats or give Zig the sh!ts. They can be shy puppies and need time to mature and approach new things at their own pace - I think flooding would have a bad outcome. I had people say "don't fuss over her" "leave her be" but I understood my pup and took things slowly with her. I've had people call it "weak nerve" but I think that's bullsh!t. Em's confidence has gone through the roof the last few months and now I am working on stand for exam without mugging the person for cuddles. They are bred to be disinterested in other dogs and are very submissive - when you see spaniels playing together you understand them much better. Em screamed blue murder when she first saw Zig (poor lad just loved her on sight but he is rather overwhelming) but she is now completely feral with him - bites him until he relinquishes his place by the heater and plays with her.

If you're not sure that you want such a high energy dog but you like the style, you could look at the Welsh Springers or a show ESS but the latter probably have too much coat for what you are after. Happy to answer any more questions you have. Just like my Dally, the working ESS is not a dog for everyone but they both suit me down to the ground. Perhaps that says more about me than the dogs

[Weasels]

There aren't many working line Aussies in Australia, I think you'd have trouble finding one. However, there are some show line females that size! Also, Aussies come in a fair few different builds, my girl is more finely built with longer legs than most. She's just under 18kg, 50cm at the shoulder and she also doesn't have a huge amount of coat

Yes, sorry, I just checked and 2 of the ones i've seen are imports. The other I'm not sure if she's working line or not, but she's smaller than my 17 kg girl, and just the sweetest snuggliest dog

[Jumabaar]

I'm glad you like her, skip - I think she's just perfect so I won't be sending her over just yet ;)

Em looks like she will be a 400 dog (which will be good for me with Ziggy in 600 - time to catch my breath when they are both in Masters!) Remember that she is a working line ESS, which is just about a separate breed from the show line ESS. They tend to be smaller and slightly longer than they are tall, with much less feathering and coat. The show ESS tends to be more square. Then there's the drive level - I have no doubt there are show ESS that are high energy but it's like a whole different world with a working line pup. There's a determination and focus that is incredible to have in a training partner - she blows my mind! She has been so much easier to train than my Dally but part of that is due to me learning from Zig - who, by the way, is one of the most fun dogs I've ever had the privilege to train - just completely different! In agility Zig is really picking up speed and is gaining in confidence but he needs my support, very clear handling and no hesitation on my part. Em will need very clear handling and no hesitation because otherwise she will have finished the course before I've thought about where obstacle 2 is She is very relaxed at home - at the moment she is restless because, being in season, I can't take her out and train her as I normally would, but normally she's just happy to curl up on the couch with the cats or give Zig the sh!ts. They can be shy puppies and need time to mature and approach new things at their own pace - I think flooding would have a bad outcome. I had people say "don't fuss over her" "leave her be" but I understood my pup and took things slowly with her. I've had people call it "weak nerve" but I think that's bullsh!t. Em's confidence has gone through the roof the last few months and now I am working on stand for exam without mugging the person for cuddles. They are bred to be disinterested in other dogs and are very submissive - when you see spaniels playing together you understand them much better. Em screamed blue murder when she first saw Zig (poor lad just loved her on sight but he is rather overwhelming) but she is now completely feral with him - bites him until he relinquishes his place by the heater and plays with her.

If you're not sure that you want such a high energy dog but you like the style, you could look at the Welsh Springers or a show ESS but the latter probably have too much coat for what you are after. Happy to answer any more questions you have. Just like my Dally, the working ESS is not a dog for everyone but they both suit me down to the ground. Perhaps that says more about me than the dogs

What height is a working ESS generally? I was trying to work it out but I couldn't find much infer other than the standard- which I assume would be more for the Show ESS.

[BC Love]

skip - Hi Noticed you said you are from the gong - can I ask do you do agility at Dapto (showground)? If so - is it good there?

My guy is to young to start agility - he is in an advance puppy class for the next 5 weeks then I want to start him at Dapto for obedience, then agility there when he gets older. Would love to know if its good there or if there is somewhere better in the gong area?

[The Spotted Devil]

Woofen - it's dependent on the lines as working ability and soundness are more important than anything. Em will be a 400 dog, thus < 455mm but I haven't measured her as yet...need to teach her to stay still first :D The boys are a bit bigger of course.

[Jumabaar]

Woofen - it's dependent on the lines as working ability and soundness are more important than anything. Em will be a 400 dog, thus < 455mm but I haven't measured her as yet...need to teach her to stay still first :D The boys are a bit bigger of course.

Thanks!! It thought I saw an ESS on a walk and I am guessing it was working line- it was one of those double take moments where I immediately thought ESS but then doubted myself

[The Spotted Devil]

Woofen - it's dependent on the lines as working ability and soundness are more important than anything. Em will be a 400 dog, thus < 455mm but I haven't measured her as yet...need to teach her to stay still first :D The boys are a bit bigger of course.

Thanks!! It thought I saw an ESS on a walk and I am guessing it was working line- it was one of those double take moments where I immediately thought ESS but then doubted myself

Yes! I know exactly what you mean!!! I have done that a few times myself. You won't see a lot of them because they tend to go to working homes - retrieving, hunting, private trainers for detecting feral animal scat (in Austrailia and overseas), police, customs etc.

[huski]

Hey Bec This one's for you.....I thanked her breeder for sending us the "feral" one and she said that was all part of the plan :D

She's coiled like a spring, waiting for me to say "OK!", so she can hoon up the hill again. Be careful what you wish for

:love:

[skip]

I haven't seen a working ESS. Wonder where I can meet one in real life? The show ones are lovely but a lot of coat. Is Em from a breeder in Vic? What do you think the dog on the DOL rescue site is? He looks pretty keen to do something. Poor baby.

Thanks for the link to those coolie pups. I did spot them and they are cute. According to the thread those pups are going to be rehomed pretty easily. Althou the plain coloured ones might not be as popular. When I wanted to get a rescue I didn't look at pups cause they tend to be in high demand anyway. It is the 6-12 month dogs that need help.

I am going to take some time and look at more choices. I am going to the Spring Fair to compete next week so will wander over to the dog show to drool.

BC Love If you live near Wollongong you are spoilt in terms of training for agility. I go to Dapto Wed nights. When I started there was a pretty intense training program that involved 5 levels with a "relationship" class (intro to rewards/play/tug) to start.

It was hard work and basically followed the system of handling from Greg Derrett. The instructors who devised the classes are very experienced and one instructor will be coach for the Australian team going to Texas for the World Games.

There are some changes about at the club at the moment but by the time your pup is ready something will be available. The obedience is Sat and in the area it is probably your best bet. I go to the other obedience club cause I can't wake up sat morning. ( Up too late maybe! :D ).

I also go to Wollongong Dog Sports agility Monday night sometimes just for a chance to run my dogs. They aim for people who want to do agility more casually.

Might run into you one day soon.

[Casima]

Hi Skip I was wondering how your dog search was going and was about to email you.

Just to add to the thread here is my experience.

My first dog GSD "Benny" and second dog BSDxBC "Raffy" were both pound dogs bought as pets a few years apart. Raffy is a very biddable boy and he got me into the sport of agility, once he got a few titles and I was hooked on the sport, I decided I wanted to get a more competitive dog to trial with, although I didn't need another pet I did want another agility dog. Since my first 2 were rescues I thought I would get another rescue as I decided I wanted a border collie, and there are usually plenty of nice BC's in rescue.

I found a lovely 1 yr old working border collie girl "Anna" at a local pound, she was super friendly, I liked her build and structure for agility, she was very outgoing and energetic and she instantly got on very well with my boys... sounds perfect? I thought so, so she came home with us. She was great for the first few months, then when our training started to get a bit tricky she started to shut down when training, she also started to develop some annoying little obsessive stress behaviours at home which got worse over time and she is very sound sensitive and reguarly develops more fears of things she asociates with loud noises, and as she came with me to trials she got flatter and flatter in the trial environment. I started competeing with her about 2 years old, sometimes she is better than others, ranging between really stressy and slow to moderate speed, now running at masters level. I've done alot of work with her, and learnt soo much, she has inspired me to learn from some brilliant international trainers, 2.5 years on she is steadily improving, and I think in a few more years time she will actually be a good agility dog but its been a long hard road with a long way yet to go. All that said however, I love her dearly, she makes me laugh every day, she is the sweetest most lovable dog in the world and I wouldn't trade her for anything even tho she wasn't the dog I wanted, she has taught me so many important lessons which will benifit all my future dogs.

Now I feel it is time for me to add another dog, this time I have looked at the dogs in agility which make me go "Wow" and have chosen a litter from the same lines, from parents I love. My new border collie puppy's litter is 1 week old today. While I'm sure there are plenty of rescue dogs out there that could be the amazing agility dog I want, and I do feel slightly guilty not getting a rescue this time around, I think a well bred pup is going to give me the best chance of having the dog with the potential to be great, not because I want to win, but because training and handling a very fast enthusiastic dog is so much more fun.

I don't think there is anything wrong with chooseing a dog/breed specifically to do agility with, and know many people who do so at agility, so long as either the dog suits your lifestyle, or you are willing to change your life to suit the dog. Not saying everyone should get a BC/kelpie, not everyone will enjoy having these breeds around, just make sure you choose a dog you will love to own 24/7 not just at agility time.