Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i am considering agility. i am also considering getting another dog. i was wondering, what breeds do best in agility?

i am also wondering where to get agility equipment for the dog to pratice? and what books on agility you would recommend? do you think it would be better to hire a handler or to do it all myself?

thanks for any help you can give me. i am ever so greatful.

Although the boarder collies dominate the agility world, I think getting a dog that fits your life style and training it for agility is a better choice personally. Unless high titles and such are what you are going for. Really any breed is capable of running in agility, some are much easier to deal with than others. Individual personality though makes a big difference as well.

If you are new to the sport, I think having a trainer works best to show you common errors and how much handler's body position guides a dog. It's hard for you to watch yourself run with your dog so the objective eye really helps.

There are numerous books on agility, I haven't found one I really LOVE yet. It's just so individualistic on how you run a dog. "the basics" can take you only so far. I'm not saying practicing in the back yard is bad, but don't over do it. Especially wiht a young dog. Hope some of that helps.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita (the shiba inu), Adi (rescue tabby cat), and all the reptiles

I've only just started in agility as well, I have an Aussie/Lab mix, and he is awesome at it, he learns extremely fast and moves the same. I would say Border Collies, Austrailian Shepherds, Kelpies those are all good choices. The above poster is correct though, when choosing a dog, make sure the two of you (and family) mesh. All three of the dogs I listed above are herding/working dogs. They are VERY smart, they are thinkers and workers. They need to be "busy" all the time. The trainer I selected for agilty has Kelpies, he loves my dog and is very excited about what he can do in competition. I noted that my dog is built just like a Kelpie, LOL, that could have something to do with why he likes him so much! I have learned quickly that I need more training than my dog...he gets it down fast, while I am still stumbling around trying to figure out where I am supposed to be. Most of the time the dog is waiting for my direction. When he makes a mistake...it isn't his at all, it's mine. I told him with body language the wrong thing, or I didn't tell him in time or at all..and he decided for himself what I "probably wanted". I would say pick a dog based on your lifestyle first, at the very least research the breed well and be informed about what to expect. I had researched, Austrailian Shepherds and Cattle dogs prior to getting my dog, and had decided on a Cattle dog, based on what I wanted and thought was a good match. I had found a breeder and everything, was just waiting on a pup, when at a horse show I saw a litter of mixed puppies and fell in love with one. I already knew what to expect from both breeds he was crossed with, so I brought him home. Fate would have it that he is the perect dog for.....MY HUSBAND! They bonded totally, I have done all the training and do agility with him, we both do flyball with him, but he really is my husbands dog. We had no visions of doing agility or flyball before getting him, but afterwards we could see that he had a talent for anything athletic and searched out some possibilities.
I now have a 7 month old Catahoula pup, that is MINE MINE MINE. I also researched that breed very carefully. He is a handful, also a herding/working/hunting breed. In addition to researching the breed as a whole...I also bugged the lady I got him from to death about personality, I wanted to make sure we would be a good match and he was in California, I in Oregon. I wouldn't be able to see him until I picked him up. She was very detailed, she actually suggested a puppy different than the one I had picked out and she was right. The other puppy is very loving and soft...sensative. My pup Witt, is very alpha, outgoing, active..like I said a handful, which I love in a dog. I also had to make sure he would get along with our other dog. There were alot of things to consider, we took our time and researched well.
Do the same and I think you will be rewarded BIG. Smiles, Maisey

Well, I totally agree with what Chelle has told you. But I'd also like to add, that I think you are getting a little ahead of yourself. I'd suggest that you try agility with your current dog and see if you enjoy it. Papillons make wonderful agility dogs! (In fact, they are on my short list of possible future breeds in large part because of their agility abilites.) I'd also see if you can find someone teaching classes in your area to start you off on the right foot (or paw so to speak). Depending on how much other training your dog has had and a few other factors, it normally takes about 6 months to a year (or more in the case of my tri) before the dog is ready to compete. Once you've been competing for a little while you may get a feel for what other breed you'd like to share your life with.

The border collies _do_ dominate the sport; however, as much as I enjoy Q's in agility, I don't think I could ever live with a BC. I'd also be careful since many BC's have a very high prey drive and could see small dogs as prey. Other popular breeds in this area include Aussies, Cattle dogs, Shelties and Pembroke corgis. However the most important thing, is that the dog fits your lifestyle. And there are always exceptional individuals in just about every breed. After all the dog with the most MACH's is a Keeshound. Personally, I also find it very rewarding to be "THE" person who runs "THE" basenjis in agility (in my area which includes several states). I stand out so much more with my curly-tails than most of the people with the popular breeds. Just depends on what you want.

Books? I'd suggest the Clean Run books. I've read several and liked them best.

Equipment? My first jumps consisted of 2 cinder blocks and a broomstick. I later progressed to pvc jumps (easy and cheap to make!!!) and recently my husband got a welder and has made several jumps and teeters. If you get to the point you'd like competition grade jumps or contacts, let me know as his prices are very resonable. Either way, if you are buying, I'd look around.

If you have any more questions, just give a holler. This board is very friendly and helpful. Good luck!

>>i am considering agility. i am also considering getting another dog. i was wondering, what breeds do best in agility?
>>
>>i am also wondering where to get agility equipment for the dog to pratice? and what books on agility you would recommend? do you think it would be better to hire a handler or to do it all myself?
>>
>>thanks for any help you can give me. i am ever so greatful.

Everyone has give great advice! I will just add my 2 cents for whats its worth

I'm attaching my favorite pic of my BC gal. This was taken at her first trial and she did awesome!

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Charlene

My Email

Adopt the pace of Nature
Her secret is patience

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

Papillons are one of my favorite breeds! I never knew they were one of the best in agility! Cool!

I figured that's what you have now, oh well. I'm sure you'd enjoy doing agility with a pap. They are so cute and bright little dogs. What do you have right now?

Yes, BC's do excel in agility- my boy just has to see equipment being set up and when I give the ok, he'll do 3 or 4 obstacles all on his own! He loves it. (we haven't been able to pursue it further do to my physical limitations) All of the previous posters are right - do NOT get a BC just because they are good at agility! There is much too much more to deal with when you have a BC. Most are ery high energy dogs and require not just physical activity but mental activity also. They are often a step ahead of you as they are so smart (bred for their ability to reason and cope with situations without a human to tell them what to do). If these needs are not met some can become very destructive out of boredom. They do have high drives and great focus but these are more related to workng (herding) than prey
which is why they tend to chase cars, children, etc. It's the herding instinct.
So before you decide to get aBC for agility purposes, think long & hard about whether or not that is the personality you want to deal with. Working BC's are bred to run 100 miles a day! I, too, have seen great little Papillons & Poodles do well in agility along with several larger breeds and of course the wonderful mixed breeds. Nancy

>>Yes, BC's do excel in agility- my boy just has to see equipment being set up and when I give the ok, he'll do 3 or 4 obstacles all on his own! He loves it. (we haven't been able to pursue it further do to my physical limitations) All of the previous posters are right - do NOT get a BC just because they are good at agility! There is much too much more to deal with when you have a BC. Most are ery high energy dogs and require not just physical activity but mental activity also. They are often a step ahead of you as they are so smart (bred for their ability to reason and cope with situations without a human to tell them what to do). If these needs are not met some can become very destructive out of boredom. They do have high drives and great focus but these are more related to workng (herding) than prey
>>which is why they tend to chase cars, children, etc. It's the herding instinct.
>>So before you decide to get aBC for agility purposes, think long & hard about whether or not that is the personality you want to deal with. Working BC's are bred to run 100 miles a day! I, too, have seen great little Papillons & Poodles do well in agility along with several larger breeds and of course the wonderful mixed breeds. Nancy

Oh I highly agree! Unless you have a huge yard (I am fortunate to live on 2 1/2 fenced acres) and when I cannot be with her she keeps herself busy but I do not recommend a BC in a smaller yard. . .you would have no yard!
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Charlene

My Email

Adopt the pace of Nature
Her secret is patience

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

We have a little less than 1/2 acre-- and it's not fenced.

Right now I have a four-year-old black Labrador Retriever named Dodger. Dodger is so hyper. The closest thing he ever did to agility was learn how to jump through a hula (spelling?) hoop. He loves jumping though it, and I can now put the hoop about 16 inches above the ground in the doorway. If I put it any higher, 28-inch Dodger crawls under it! If it's not in the doorway, he goes around it instead of through it!

Come to think of it, I also taught Dodger how to jump over wash baskets and some chairs. (Now it's about impossible to keep him out of a room without a door. He jumps right over almost anything that I use to block the doorway! )

Dodger would probably be great in agility-- if he didn't get so hyper around other dogs. If another dog is around, his mind is thinking on playing and playing only. So how can he be good in agility if he is more worried about the other dogs than the agility? I don't see how that could work.

I think he'd learn at class that focusing on other dogs isn't rewarding. Labs are pretty goofy dogs, but very food motivated and quick learn what gets them the treat. With a good trainer, you really shouldn't have too much of a problem.

Also teach him to watch you. Usually the command is "watch" or "look at me". Have the treat in your hand, hold it in front of your eyes. Treat him. Repeat a few times. Move the treat out and away from your face. As soon as he makes eye contact, treat (or click and treat if you're a clicker person). What you reward is him looking at your face, not the treat. Try this with another dog 20 feet away (or more if 20 feet is too distracting). When he gets that on cue, move closer to the other dog/distraction. Continue to decrease the distance and try to get about an 85% success rate.

I agree - your dog would benefit from training be it obedience or agility. He CAN learn not to respond to the distraction of other dogs especially if he enjoys agility. Any dog will go around an obstacle if they have the opportunity and have not found out what great fun agility can be! Plus, at 4 yrs. old your dog's growing is done and it is safe for him to jump & climb, etc. Look for agility classes! It may very well help with his hyper-activity as he will have to do both physical AND mental exercises! Nancy

>>I will say that trying a few obsticles with your dog in your own yard would be able to tell you if it was interested in agility.

Great advice from those above, but I have a comment about this last statement -- sometimes it takes a dog a while to start thinking that agility is fun. Those that were bred to work independently don't see the point of doing agility (or doing what YOU want, now that I think about it. ). Also, shy or worried dogs sometimes take a while to loosen up and start having fun. Motivate, play, great treats, exuberant praise, etc., and eventually, the agility itself is rewarding for the dog -- to be followed with treats, praise, play, etc.

So what I'm saying is: Don't give up too soon.
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Sarah
Pacific NW
Nefer-temu Pharaohs

great advice!

How much do you think agility will cost all-together? How much do you think the equipment (spelling?) will cost? And the books? A handler? It even costs money to enter your dog in the show, doesn't it? Agility sounds good, but if it costs too much I can't do it yet. That's why I need some idea as to how much this will cost.

Thanks for answering my questions. And thanks for being such a great help on the "Where do I start?" questions. Please keep posting responses to this and my original "Where do I start?" post!

>>How much do you think agility will cost all-together?

Good classes are worth their weight in gold. I do not begrudge the $10.60 per class that I spend. I travel about 45 minutes to one class per week because I want that particular trainer. It helps to have *some* equipment in your back yard to practice on -- this can be made rather cheaply. There are websites & books about homemade equipment.

Trial entries are about $55-60 per a two-day weekend, in my area, and for that you get 4-8 runs, depending on which "venue" you've entered. (There are 3 major organizations sponsoring agility events around the country; you can compete in just one, or all three at the same time. I do. Maximizes my fun that way...)

Other expenses will be a crate or xpen to hold your dog at a trial, a gear bag (food, water, treats, leashes, etc.), good shoes to run in. If you must travel to a trial, include gas, food & motel/camping fees.

How much you spend is largely up to you.
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Sarah
Pacific NW
Nefer-temu Pharaohs