I have been searching high and low for big dog agility in my area or even in my county and can't find anything. I have contacted people at regular agility clubs and all are wary about allowing a Berner into their classes. They have all suggested big dog agility, yet can't advise me of any in the area.

I have searched on Google and nothing is coming up.

Does anyone know of any agility club which deals solely with big/large dogs in Sussex. I am prepared to drive up to south Surrey(Horley area)if there is one there.

I am aware that there are clubs in Scotland and parts of Northern England, but nothing is coming up for the south from what i can see.

Thanks

you might want to try contact these people http://www.harlequin-agility.co.uk/Welcome.html

Thanks, i will email them.. Are they local to me??

I am actually looking for agility which runs every week as well.  Though these fun days look good in the mean time.

they are in Markfield I think, but they might know if anyone else does agility for big dogs.  I know all their equipment is especially made for them with items being lower, and wider and better for bigger dogs :)

hi, i train with them every week-although i dont have giant breed- jill is an excellent trainer but i do believe her club is the only giant/large breed club in the country. she is near leicester

I go to Billingshurst dog training, who meet in Barns Green every Monday night.  We have a couple of large dogs in my session - doberman size.  Don't know if a Berner would be accepted though, and the waiting list is pretty long.  Their site is http://billingshurst-dtc.org/  They're a very friendly club - the agility Christmas party was sight to behold :)

The thing with giant breeds is that they are alot more specilist.  You need to be so much more careful of joints and bones and you have to be careful with equipment.  As said Giant breed agility has specialy made equipment.

I went along to a club near Billingshurst tonight, though not the same as you mention. They gave us a trial run and they were happy with allowing him to join!!! yey.. He did really well and got on with it, you could see the pleasure in his face - defo think i have found something for him here.

Am unsure, but are Mid Downs agility for large dogs.  Look on www.agilitynet.com think that has a lot of good info re. training clubs.  Also know some of the Brighton based CD ladies do training somewhere not a milliion miles away.  Good luck.  Sadly we're too far away for you (other Sussex) otherwise you'd be more than welcome at DITTO ;-)  We have Leonbergers doing it & they're not exactly ickle

Hi sue,

Have you tried Mid Sussex agility club - can pm you the number ifn ot - but this is a regular club but not a competitive club - I can't say for sure regarding BIG dog but she may be able to suggest somewhere if not?

Rach
x

If I were you,I'd ask for advice on the agilitynet forum-I'm sure you'll get lots of help,tips and contacts.

Hi Rachel,
I have been on their waiting list since July time now, no word from them. They have said that people join and very rarely leave, hence the long wait, and only just over 5 mins drive from my place.

The one i went to tonight took me about 25 mins to get to, so not too far and the people there were lovely and i'm happy with the set up and also the progress we have made in 1 hour...
I don't think i'll ever think about competition, but very happy to do it for the fun of it for now..

This isn't the Henfield one - maybe I have got my names muddled - probably have LOL!  Have sent you a pm and will pm again in the morning after have located the number for you.

Well done on finding something though :) and glad you had fun!

I haven't competed yet but do keep promising Maxy we may dip our paws in this year :)

Maddog, apologies i don't know your first name, but which agility club are you at?? The mid downs club i have checked their website but i can't see where they train, any help there???

Ah yes, the link was for the Henfield one.. I'm getting all confused now..

The club which has Leo's sounds interesting though...

All info will be handy and then i can make an informed decision.. Ta

xx

South East & Anglia Leonberger Society, leeleos@blueyonder.co.uk are organisers of a BAD (big active dog) weekend in suffolk every August B/Hol. Great fun :-) I have been with my GSD who is about the smallest there as it is all Leos, Berners and Newfs. they usually have a 'have a go' agility there. May be worth an email to see if they know of any classes.
Chris

>I haven't competed yet but do keep promising Maxy we may dip our paws in this year 

come on Rachel, you have been dragging your feet on this one for long enough ........ if anything come along for a laugh at me trying to run at 6 months pregnant !!

LOL - I Promise it will be this year Claire - just need to sort out the sea-saw and we are there promise!!!

I must dig out a pic of me with Sacha when I was about 5-6months preggars too for you  :) :)

I dont know how much longer I can run for, I train 6.30 - 10pm on a Thursday night, by 10 I can just about walk, and unfortunately my boys like to work alongside me, they dont go ahead - and any lapse in concentration on my behalf sends Fagan into a loopy setter frenzy !!

Im lucky in that Fagan will work for anyone so im going to carry on entering shows and when I start really waddling someone else from my club will hopefully take over

Im hoping to keep the showing up but even putting my socks and wellies on is becoming a chore (according to scan baby is going to be bigger than average - which I assume means I will be too !!!)

I know those babies take up lots of lung space don't they!!! 

I bet you are exhausted with the two training - good to hear Fagan will work for someone else though!  Typical gundog/setter having to work with you though - Maxy is the same but sometimes he will go ahead usually the wrong direction though LOL!

re: the big baby well if its any consellation Emily was 9lb 1oz and Jess 8lb 14oz so not teeny babies either !!! 

Fagan enjoys it which is great, Alf on the other hand is a bit of a s#d.  he is ok indoors but outside his brain drops down into his pants and he just goes off sniffing - its really frustrating !!

Why don't we all try going to the Easter show at Ardingly?!  'Bout time I showed my face, if I can managed to stay upright that is :-D

Hi, it's over by Bodiam, it's called DITTO (dogs in training teaching owners - or something similar!)  agilitynet.com is a very good site, it's got all the clubs listed.  Click on Clubs A-Z (at the top) then scroll down to one in Surry/West Sussex & click on the club name, a window pops up with all the details (some are out of date of course, but it's better than nowt)  Says that Mid Downs trains at Burstow, Horley.

HTH

Caroline ;-)

Oh Caroline - can you point me at the schedule do you know if they have measuring there too - as I need to get that done first - not sure if I wll be ready but maybe I need to set a goal to finally take the big step with mad Maxy! :)

hey dont leave me out - I might enter on the off chance im still able to run, we could have a champ dogs day out !!!

as if Claire :) :)

let me know what day you are doing :)

Oh now I've gone & done it.  Does that mean I have to enter - me & my big mouth :-O

Rachel will email you the link for the schedule.  It's on agilitynet.com I'm assuming.  I've only done 2 shows, that was my first show last year (it snowed!)

oh of course you have to enter !!

Ive seen the schedule on agilitynet, will print a copy off, I think its a two day show so need to make sure we all do the same day :)

Can you tell me where in scotland

Thanks

Claire it seems its the Saturday trouble is need to get measured first!  so might just come along and watch you girls!  I know there is measuring on 1st Feb but we have another show that day!

Rachel whats this agility day at Ardingly???
I'd like to go and watch, no chance of competing.

You going to the Maidstone show on the 1stFeb??? If so will see you there.

Sent you the details of the Easter show - although just looked in diary and the 11th is the same day as breed champ show - decision to be made and depends re: measuring now too!  AAGH!

Yep at Maidstone 1st so will def see you there chick :)

I think someone else is going from my club, will find out tonight.  I will enter - even if just to give everyone else a laugh.

just looked at the schedule and the best day for grade 1's is the sunday, as the classes are either grade one or grade 1-2 rather than 1-3 on the saturday.  There are also 3 classes we can do and only 2 on saturday although all jumping on the sunday and no agility.

If i were to come and watch can i bring my dog, though he won't be entered into the show.. Not sure how the agility comps work.. Are they the same as dog showing??

technically they should be entered nfc if not competeing but I dont think ive ever been to a show where they actually check ;)

Well we have measuring booked so that's phase 1 done :) :)  Looks like not getting out of dipping the paws in the agility circuit this year!

Need to get record book from KC before then!

you need that for when you get measured, you might be able to buy one when you get measured.