Hello Guys, Ive got a Collie and do agility with him, im looking into getting another dog was going to go for another collie, but flatcoats are also a great love of mine, i was just wondering if they are any good at agility, would a working line FCR be a better option, or are they just not the dogs for agility. Im talking about competitive agility. :)

thanks! :D

If you are very competitive, I'd say they are probably not fast enough (JMO) but I do know of flatcoats who compete in agility. My friend has a flatcoat and has done agility with him, he is very able, but she does it more for fun as he did enjoy it so. There are several flatcoat owners on here, maybe they will have some advice for you :)

Lindsay
x

Ive got 2 flatcoats - both of whom have done agility at some point or other - There are an active dog which want to work - but they often dont have the speed of the collies - although I think there is now a flatcoat who has won her Agility Warrant

In my opinion I dont think there is too much difference in the lines - although both my dogs have the same sire, and would probably both be classes has having showlines - although the people who we got the bitch from also used to work their dogs. One will work but doesnt necassarily have the enthusiasm to do it - where as the other has too much enthusiasm and has yet to get round a course without being eliminated due to his madness and if other things were different would make a fantastic dog for agility competitions

Compared to a collie - they would probably take longer to train and you would need more patientce to cope with the clowning around and they are less likley to be as fast - but other than that they are a fab dog!

Hi your best bet would be to talk to Jane Hedges who is involved in agility and working events with her flatcoats. Email me and I'll get her to contact you.
foxpath4@hotmail.com

Polly

Foxpath Flatcoated retrievers.