Dog Warp

Question: What do you think the top 5 AGILITY dog breeds are in your opinion?
I think they are
1. Border Collies (I don’t think most can dispute with that one).
2. Shetland Sheepdogs
3. Jack Russell Terriers
4. Australian Shepherds
5. Poodles (miniature and standard)
I have 2 Shelties and I compete in UKC with one and just started her in AKC yesterday. She did well in eligible in jumpers with weaves with only 1 fault and got first (YAY!). She is super smart and swift but while I still want to continue with her, I want to get another pup to begin training that would be something I could compete with at national levels. I obviously want a dog that is simple to train and very fast. My Sheltie is fast when she is running on the beach or chasing deer in the woods but she is just a bit above average on the courses. She’s only 2 though and this is my first agility dog. She also comes form lines with no agility or compliance background. I didn’t care about all that at the time ’cause I didn’t even know much agout agility but decided to give it a try. SHE LOVES IT! I love it too but I think she adores it more. She actually instructs me! The way she reads my body language is amazing. I realize that if I get a dog from strong agility lines that it is going to be a handful and it’s going to need constant stimulation and exercise which isn’t a problem for me. I don’t have children and I’m 35 and I work out of my home. I live on Lake Michigan so the dogs run several miles a day as long as it’s not below freezing. My Shelite is 13″. I’m not completely against another Sheltie but I really thinik a Border Collie would be my best bet! I like small and medium sized breeds. I’ve also debated poodles but how fast are they?
I’m in good health and run fast my self. I can really dedicate a lot of time to my dogs. My other Sheltie male is a lost cause. He won’t even jump a hurdle, lol! I also thought of Papillions. I’d like to stick with UKC and AKC with my current Sheltie and then do AKC and USDAA with the new pup. My dogs are indoors (I have a massive house) but I also have a fenced in acre for nice days. Judging from what I’ve told you, what do you suggest?
Once again, I have 2 Shelties that are both 2 1/2 years old and only compete with one. I’ve done AKC compliance on and off but my current dogs get bored with it and I really don’t care for it now that I’ve been introduced to agility. I’ve been doing agility now since my female was a bit over one so I’ve been doing it for 1 1/2 years now.
Do you know of any breeders (I’d be willing to travel but I live in Michigan near the Indiana and Illinois border) of a breed you might recommend especially border collies? I’d like a show calibre dog in case I wanted to do confirmation and I’d really like a female unless male border collies tend to be faster. Keep in mind, I AM OPEN TO OTHER BREEDS! I was thinking of getting the pup in late winter.
THANKS SO SO SO MUCH FOR ANY HELP OR ADVICE! I know I went on and on with this question. Please tell me what agility organizations you are involved in and what kind of dog or dogs you compete with. THANKS!

Best answer:

Answer by Bruce H
I think you got it about right…except I would move Australian Sheperds right under or even to the Border Collie…and also move the Jack Russell to the Number 3 spot.

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