Hi everyone,

I'm hoping to acquire a puppy sometime in the near future, but the decision of which breed is going to take a while, and I need to give it a lot of consideration. Though I want a dog to primarily be my pet and friend, I'd really like to get involved with dog agility, and would like a breed suitable to participate in the sport. I have quite a love for sighthounds, particularly the Pharaoh and Ibizan hounds, though I have never owned one before. Would anyone here recommend these breeds for agility?

Failing that, I've considered the Belgian Shepherd, which I know is highly suitable to this 'sport'.

Either way, as long as the breed can be my faithful companion above everything else, it doesn't really matter too much, but my thanks for any help and advice anyone can offer me.

~Grace
Lincoln, UK

Email: darth_jurious@yahoo.co.uk

Mmmmm

Not sure that any of the sighthounds would be 'that' suitable for competitive agility.

Certainly cant think of any pedigree ones....... in general they are not overly impressed with that sort of thing, and their long legs are not really designed for turning on slippy floors at speed, or running up and down things.... although jumping and running fast they can do.

You may, if you would consider a lurcher, rather than a pedigree, do far better with a small lurcher, one with whippet/working beardie/collie/bedlington type blood.......closer to the ground meaning less danger of falling, and more speed, and much more trainable than pure sighthounds.

That said, ive seen wolfhounds doing agility (although not particularly fast or elegantly!) so they CAN do it, just a lot of them wouldnt entertain the idea!

Em

Hi Grace

I own a pharaoh hound and did agility with him.  He absolutely loved it the pharoahs are so springy he could easily clear all the obsticles and he picked it up really quickly :D  the only problem with him was missing some of the contacts because he was so keen to launch himself over the A-frame.  The instructer was very impressed with Marley's progress.   I don't do it at the moment because Marley had an injury and had to rest (not to do with agility) although he is fine now it will be a while yet before we go again :(

I would recommend them for agility as they are quick to learn, fast and agile and full of fun.  I wouldn't recommend them because sighthounds are easily distracted and you need a good recall before you can begin (although not really a problem with mine), their legs are too long and they miss the contacts - but this can be sorted with practice :D .  

Feel free to PM me if you need more info about pharaohs.  Have you also thought about a lurcher?  or a whippetX there were a few sighthound crosses in my class.

Hope this is helpful to you

Clair

Just to add pharaohs were bred to hunt rabbits in Malta over rocky uneven surfaces and are able to turn, jump, take sharpe corners and really be quite agile when they put their mind to it :D

http://nefer-temu.8m.com/agility/articles.htm Here you are try looking here it gives you loads of info about pharaohs and agility.  Spirit - unfortunately no longer with us :( :( was Marley's uncle.

Just a mention about the BSDs for agility....

You are right in that they can excel, but if you end up getting one rather than a sighthound, be aware that many agility trainers are not that good with them and have not a clue how to get the best out of them, esp. if they tend to own BCs or gundog tupes due to the total difference in character. /Contacts etc. need to be taught very carefully and preferably "backchained" ie do the last thing first. So put the dog at the bottom of the A frame ramp etc and then gradually take it back rather than just expecting it to walk over (although some will of course).Take a look at www.vapresto.co.uk for some info. I would suggest joining the BSD UK list and also contacting agility dog owners such as Ian on the site for advice :)

Hth
Lindsay
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Good point Lindsay, I was really lucky with my instructor because he was a sighthound/lurcher enthusiast and knew exactly how to deal with them.  I never even gave that a thought :D :D

:)

A good trainer is worth their weight in gold I feel, and if you can get one that understands the various "foibles" of different breeds then stick with 'em is what i say :D

Lindsay
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