good dog breeds for agility training?
Posted: April 14th, 2011 | Author: admin | Filed under: Common Questions | Tags: Agility, Breeds, Good, Training | 16 Comments »hi,
I’m thinking about getting another dog. I really want a trainable dog that would be good for agility training. I can’t hav anything to big and I don’t want something to small (no bigger than a labrador and no smaller than a jack russel)… around the size of a corgi is good. as I said I want to be able to train i And teach it tricks. it needs to be friendly around other dogs and have good stamina for agility…
what breeds do you think would suit this??
PLEEEAASSSEE HELP!!!!
please don’t answer like “just go to a pound and see whats there” because Im looking for specific breeds!!
Thanks 
EDIT: yes Im hoping to compete, but mainly it’s just for fun and the dogs exercise… It’s my first time doing agility, but i’ve trained other dog a few tricks like fetching, rolling over and dance
German Shepherd.
ok my friend, id suggest a lab, golden retriever, cross of both of them, german shepherd, or a sheep dog. i go with the lab/goldie cross.
Jack russell, italian greyhound, border collie, sheltie, manchester terrier, papillion, japanese chin, pug
The whippet an absolutely astounding creature. He can jump 20 feet of so in the air.
just about any breed can be used for agility.. actually mixes often make great agility dogs.
Bracephellic breeds (like pugs) are not ussually the best.. because of short noses they are not really suitable for sports like that.
As for smaller breeds.. pappillons, poodles (toy or mini) and chinese cresteds make good agility dogs.
border collies and australian shepherds are medium sized dogs that seem to be popular among agility people.
well you could always go check out the pound as they usually get australian shepherd or border collie mixes that would make excellent agility dogs. I worked a little with a trainer who had adopted a border collie that was an excellent agility dog. Are you looking to compete? Do you have experience or is this going to be your first? Border collies are really fast and smart. However the reason why so many of them get turned over to the shelter is because they have a tendency to nip at peoples heels as their way of herding. People interpret it as aggression, however the dog is just doing its job as a herding breed.
heres a few good breeds to check out:
Australian shepherds,
border collies,
jack russell terriers,
fox terriers,
shelties
sometimes you can find great mix breeds for agility…my friend has a german shepherd, rhodesian rigdeback mix and OMG that dog can do agility tracks faster than any border collie! but your post says you are looking for specific breeds so try looking into some of those. Also talk to the breeder and try to find one that does agility training, they can help you pick out the right pup.
Any of the herding breeds excel in agility. Buy from a breeder who is breeding with agility in mind.
SIBERIAN HUSKY.
They are able to naturally adjust their body temperature and where bred to run long distances in extreme weather. Their agility was made for transportation and distance, not for short bursts of rapid energy but a continual flow over a long period.
A Border Collie would be perfect!
Actually, Pit Bulls are great at agility. Not that I’m recommending you go out and get one, but to answer your question, Pit Bulls are very athletic, human driven dogs.
The Border Collie is hands-down without-a-doubt THE best agility dog there is! They are INCREDIBLY smart and bred for speed and accuracy! The only downside is that they NEED to be worked EVERY day, or they get very destructive in their boredom!
Actually, Pembroke Welsh Corgis are very successful in agility.
So are Miniature Poodles, Pulis, Pyrenean Shepherds and Whippets.
Australian Koolie, Kelpie, Border Collie, Blue Heeler Cattle Dog, German Shepherd. Would all be good, but they are all smart dogs and you have to put the time in to train them. The question is, will you be good enough for the dog, or is it going to be too much dog for you.
I am an agility trainer and have been competing in agility for about 15 years.
First: whatever dog you decide on, it must be a breed you can live with. And s breed that your lifestyle will suit.
Corgis are great in agility. They can be a tough little breed though. Shelties are a very nice breed too. But, most any breed can be good…..Jacks, mini poodles, Papillons…including mixes!!!
If only doing agility “for fun” and not competing, any breed.
Anything EXCEPT a border collie. If you haven’t done agility before, they can be an awful choice. They learn whatever you teach them- which is often NOT what you intended to teach them!
My suggestion is to go with a sporting breed, or one of theless intense herding dogs. Spaniels, are often a good choice, or Old English sheepdogs. Mixes can be a wonderful choice.
I agree with one of the posters that said you must first have a breed that you can live with. Many people like the heading breeds for agility because they have a natural tendency to take cues from humans when they are working. I have been competing in agility for 10 years and I have Golden Retrievers. I love their personality and their ability to get along with people and dogs. Some of the BC’s I know are alittle too reactive around other dogs. I have been to 4 Nationals, 3 world team tryouts and even competed internationally at the EO this summer with my Golden. She is from field lines and I would recommend that so that you can get the smaller body type and not the big “breed” type Golden if you go that route. Retrievers are bred to again take direction from a handler when working. Some sporting dogs are bred to flush and work birds on there own, that can sometimes make it them more independent. I teach agility classes to and I see all kinds of cool examples of good individuals of many breeds, you just have to pick the qualities you want to live with first, because you will be “LIVING” with them a whole lot more than you will be competing with them. Good luck and feel free to contact me privately if you have any questions.
Wendy Pendleton
tegansmom2@aol.com
Tegan Born to be a Wildhogie, MX, MXJ, NAC, NJC, CGC (“Tegan” 15 yr old – retired from agility – reigning Frisbee Queen – Golden Ret)
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