Is Agility Right for Your Dog - and You?

Is your dog a runner who dashes and darts over things like he is going for his personal best on an obstacle course?

Have you thought about agility for you and your dog, but you weren’t quite sure if either of you could keep up?

Agility is a dog sport where a dog is handled through an obstacle course. Courses usually have between 14-20 obstacles which can include: tunnels, poles, seesaws, and jumps.

MAKE SURE AGILITY IS RIGHT FOR YOUR AND YOUR DOG. ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

A. Is your dog highly energetic?

B. Does your dog enjoy running and listening to instruction?

C. Does your dog get along with other dogs?

When thinking about agility, some dogs are better fits than others. Here are some examples of the small, medium, large breeds that enjoy agility:

Small Breeds

1. Jack Russell Terrier – Energetic and easy to train.

2. Papillion – Easy to train, can be needy, does not like to spend time alone.

3. Miniature Schnauzer – Moves quickly, but not super hyper.

4. Scottish Terrier – Intelligent, independent, fast on feet.

Medium Breeds

1. Collie – Very smart, great herding skills, quick on feet.

2. Labrador Retriever – Strong, agile, easy to train.

3. Australian Shepherd – Agile and energetic. Winning personality + sporty attributes.

4. Border Collie – Great agility, very energetic.

Large Breeds

1. German Shepherd – Fast and agile. Very energetic. Intelligent and easy to train.

2. Greyhound – Great agility, very fast. Gets along with other dogs.

Some dogs are better at other activities that don't include agility. These dogs have certain traits or genetic issues that make them a bad match for agility. Some of these breeds include:

1. Shih Tzu – They don’t enjoy speedy activities. They enjoy a light stroll through the garden, and then back to the throne in which they nap. This is a royal breed that prefers not to run.

2. Beagles and Bloodhounds – The truth is, they like to follow the scent, and if that scent isn’t in the tunnel, they aren’t really interested. This breed wants to track and hunt, not jump through hoops.

3. Bulldogs – This one is genetic. Because of the shape of the face, and features of the nose, agility isn’t a good fit for Bulldogs. Bulldogs consider running more of a chore than an interest.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This list is only a guide to help you with your agility journey. There are lots of other canines that may not be on this list that would really enjoy the extra attention and challenge of agility. Maybe your dog is one or could be one. A few final things to remember:

1. Dogs must be at least 15 months or older to participate in agility.

2. Dogs must be up to date on vaccinations.

3. Plan on spending at least 20 minutes a day working on