Question about agility

[ma-vie-en-vert]

I wasn't quite sure where to put this, so mods, feel free to move it, lol.

But yeah, just a quick question, does your dog have to be purebred in order to do agility? And I've heard that smaller dogs are better for it than larger dogs. True, not true??

I'm asking cuz the other day, my mom was organizing her files and had a bunch of HUUUGE Tupperware tubs everywhere and Alexa and I were playing tag and she just loved jumping over everything, and running around everything so if I could find it, and if its okay, I think she'd enjoy something like agility.

What do you guys think?

 

[adojrts]

I wasn't quite sure where to put this, so mods, feel free to move it, lol.

But yeah, just a quick question, does your dog have to be purebred in order to do agility? And I've heard that smaller dogs are better for it than larger dogs. True, not true??

I'm asking cuz the other day, my mom was organizing her files and had a bunch of HUUUGE Tupperware tubs everywhere and Alexa and I were playing tag and she just loved jumping over everything, and running around everything so if I could find it, and if its okay, I think she'd enjoy something like agility.

What do you guys think?

No your dog doesn't have to be a purebred to compete in agility. There are several places to play (compete in agility) USDAA, NADAC, CPE and AAC (Canada) plus many more.

As for size all sizes can compete. Large vs Small, each have their advantages and challenges, I don't think one over the other has an advantage and a lot of the times it depends on the footing and the actual course when competing. We often find courses that are small dog friendly under one judge and then at the next trial it can be large dog friendly under a different judge.

Agility can be great for most dogs, most dogs love it. It can also be very addicting and really should come with a warning lol.

If you are interested, let us know, many of us on here can help you find a good place to take lessons. And it is recommended that you take lessons because agility doesn't come without some risks and needs to be trained correctly. Especially if you are even thinking of one day competing, no point in training it wrong and then spending a great deal of time, money and effort retraining so you can compete. Plus its harder to retrained those first learned behaviours or at the very least it takes longer.

Good luck
Lynn

 

[Dekka]

~MAfia Princess stealing Dekka's name~

In Canada the 2 prominent agility orgs are the AAC for mixed and purebreds and the CKC pure only. Some parts of Canada you can find NADAC and CPE also for any breed or mix, but in lesser quantities than the others.

26" dogs are a more competitive class and rack up more points at regionals and nationals than smaller dogs. Some small dogs are smoking fast and good. Pros and cons to both. Whatever you like should be a doable agility dog.

 

[ma-vie-en-vert]

I took a look at the AAC site and there closest club is 2 hours away from me.

That sucks. Cuz this would have been awesome to get involved in. Blah, I hate being in the middle of nowhere, lol.

 

[Beanie]

You could always train and do agility just for fun, too. => Many dogs love the exercise - physical and mental - and it's a WONDERFUL way to bond with your dog!
Even if I weren't competing, I'd still train and play on the equipment with Auggie. People have started telling me at trials that they love to watch me run Auggie because he always looks SO HAPPY out on the course. He goes over every jump with that ridiculous sheltie smile plastered on his face... how could I ever deny him that joy!

 

[Bahamutt99]

UKC will also allow spayed/neutered mixed breeds to register for performance sports. (Agility, obedience, weight pull, dock diving, etc.)

 

[adojrts]

I took a look at the AAC site and there closest club is 2 hours away from me.

That sucks. Cuz this would have been awesome to get involved in. Blah, I hate being in the middle of nowhere, lol.

Contact them, the club closest to you. They may know of someone who is closer to you that competes. And maybe that person has equipment and would be willing to teach you.
The agility world can be very small and I'll bet someone can help you or at the very least give you a direction to go in to seek help.

PM me, I have a friend that just moved from Alberta that used to do agility out there (including in Sask. I believe) and who knows, she just may know someone in your neck of the woods.

I also know somebody in Manitoba, I know not close but again she may know someone near you.

 

[CaliTerp07]

Do I need to put my dog through intensive obedience school before agility classes? She knows the basic sit/stay/come, but we're still working out a LOT of kinks in her training. I'd really like to get her started on agility though--she loves to run and jump and play, and I think she'd have fun.