We have german pointers which we show and have started a bit of agility with.(Don't laugh!) However I have a younger son who is taking an interest in the dogs with a view to long term agility. However we would also like to show the dog. we were thinking of a smaller breed. I am not sure about a border collie fitting in. Someone suggested a sheltie but commented that it is a very difficult breed to get into from the showing point of view. Has anyone any suggestions. I want to do my homework on this before rushing into anything.

Poodles are good for agility (especially minis) but need special trimming for the show ring. What size dog are you after i.e. is your son looking to compete in mini, midi or maxi agility competition?

we do have a toy poodle but she will not do anything for anyone except Hannah. the trouble with poodles that unless you are an A1 groomer/clipper you have no chance in the breed.we tried showing our poodle but then took off her coat.
mini or midi size. It is likely that Hannah and Heather would show to start with. Ashley is not sure whether handling show dogs is a 'boy thing' or not. He is slowly converting from football to dogs.

How about an Australian Shepherd?

Aussies are great for doing activities with but need alot of training and brain stimulation or otherwise they can get out of control. The problem with them is that they are too intelligent for their own good, but they are easy to train and pick things up quickly (but have a tendency to forget them as quickly). My aussie has only had 6 puppy obedience training sessions and is now just starting advanced classes.

i do not know anything about this breed, but are they not disimiliar to border collies. Also size wise I think they are only abit smaller than a gsp so was hoping to get something that is smaller and less obvious round the house. all mine are house dogs so size is a consideration

I think you're probably right as far as temperment is concerned with regard to bc's, but Aussies do come in a miniature version too. This won't help you if you want to show though as they aren't recognized by the KC, but I don't think it matters with agility, flyball or obedience. Or does it? Can any mongrel particpate in these areas?

Anything can compete in agility etc but still have to be registered with the KC in the obedience & working trials register which doesn't have to be done by breeder as it is for registering one dog instead of a whole litter.

Star, GSPs and Agility, I am not laughing, you have my deepest sympathy, speaking from my own experiences. Ingrid

Why do you think i am seeking an alternate breed. As much as I luv em, agile and nible they ain't!!! lol

I recommend Border Terriers. They are small, LOVE agility, can be trained easily, love kids and good to show. They will do almost anything for a fuss and cuddle. They are one of the best small dogs at agility.
Jack russels are good too, but I am not sure if they are registered by the kc?

Mistress is right....borders love agility, are excellent with larger dogs, and love kids.

Oh my GSP is agile and nimble, just charges round like a maniac before I have time to tell him where to go he's done his own course, so different from my shepherd, still I have been assured that one day he will get his brain into action and start listening to me, still love him to bits tho & ever the optimist Ingrid

LOL ...... yeh, when he is about 10 Ingrid ! ;-) Leigh x

What about Belgian Shepherds? Easy to show and good at agility- from my experience anyway.

Oh heck Leigh, only another 8 and a half years to go then. Anyone got a padded cell i can borrow till then. Ingrid

I did say About Ingrid ;-) Leigh x

In the USA it is normal to see many more breeds in Obedience and Agility competitions. My own breed the Elkhound seems to do very well as one would expect from an active hunting dog, and they do not need fancy show preparation! They are a good family dog, if the people are the kind that engender respect in their dogs, as they can very affably do exactly what they want if they feel they can get away with it!

They of course do have a thick coat which covers the house in snow when they shed. I would imagine their character would fit in with the GSPs which are more independant than UK Gundog breeds! A lot depends on the type of dog you like!

Of the small breeds Border Terriers seem to do well with Agility, and have the temperqament to make a good family minded dog, and I imagine would suit a doggy boy!

As you can see I am fond of breeds with a friendly but independant nature, if you prefer a more servile breed then they wouldn't suit. shelties are fairly sensitive, and it depends whether you are a loud family or real gentle folk. some would find Agility with the inherent excitement stressful, and require patient handling to get the best out of them, only you can tell if your son would suit such a dog!

I would make a list from the breeeds that have fairly natural conformation, a coat that doesn't require elaborate preperation, with an steady character, and then visit them in home situations, go for a walk with the owners and get a feel for whether you would enjoy living with and managing them!

HI

Further up Ellie mentioned Belgian Shepherds.

She is right, as they are absolutely excellent at agililty and one of the few breeds that can pretty much hold thier own with the BC's, but they are probably too big for you.

Why not go to a few agility shows without competeing and just take a look to see what else is there, that might give a few ideas.

What about a Duck Toller, although if they do have to jump ufll hight they may not be quite as good - although i think there are a few juniors who have done quite well with them in biathlon and as there of the import reg you could do triathlon with it. and there in the gundog group - so if you do show it then there on the same day as the gsps!

That sounds like a good suggestion, I know someine with a Toller and she is really pleased, the dog is apparenlty very laid back at home but very responsive when out, she is teaching her gundog "stuff", and says the dog more or less taught herself what the gun meant etc.

She does agility wiht her too and is generally very pleased with her. :)

Hi, just to answer the 'jack russell KC reg' thing! the short legged type are not recognised, however the longer legged, broken coated type 'parson JRT's' are, and could be considered good for mini agility,mine is v.v.lively, and would love it!
Emily

What about a Cocker Spaniel ..........

My Sebastian loves it, although he isn't as quick as a Border Collie or Sheltie though. You do have quite a bit of trimming to do on a Cocker though, but they are wonderful with children.

Good luck in your search.

Dessie & The Boys .......