Dogs for Agility with young children?

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gerbilgirl

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What would people recommend as easy enough to train (under guidance), smart, fit to stand up for itself against three big dogs (not nasty but tough), and with enough respect for a 5 year old and a 10 year old to compete?

The last reason is making me think not a collie as I would like, as my three have no respect for the brothers this would be got for.

Any ideas?
 
my jack russell loves agility and he holds his own with our big dog.

There are quite a few poodles at agility, or perhaps a poodle cross?
 
Yea, Jack Russell was my first thought, but if I could get something medium or large, that fitted my requirements, that would be better, as I don't want to be worrying about it getting hurt by the other dogs. Poodles are a little bit cheeky for children, in my experience anyway.
 
My Boston terrier is totally fearless and plays with big dogs all the time (this being NYC, that means a lot of Pits and Pit mixes). The breed is smart, agile, loves to learn and adores children.

If you're talking small dog breeds good at agility, nothing is faster than a Miniature Pinscher or a Rat Terrier (closest equivalent in the UK is probably a Patterdale). These things always outrun the other dogs at the dog run. For a medium-sized breed, I really do like Tollers. Also, don't forget to check your local shelter for suitable pups :)

My Stella with random dogs at the park

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I really like Boston Terriers :)

However, I will definitely be getting a rescue pup (has to be a pup due to young children in the house and me taking on a 4 year old dog almost a year ago who still isn't great with children/cats), and there are very few Bostons about!

I had actually never heard of Tollers before :o , they are fantastic dogs, but at 48cm (the height it says they will reach) they would be large in agility terms. Plus I doubt I would come across one here!
 
A friend used to work a toller in agility, he was around the same size as most collies, maybe a little smaller. He wasn't super fast though. My daughter used to have a lancashire heeler that she did a bit of mini agility with, big dog in little dogs clothing. They have very good brains (there are one or two compete in working trials) and are lovely little dogs. Very much doubt you would find one in a general rescue though, although there is a breed rescue.
 
small and med agility comps are often dominated by poodles and shelties - (both come in diff sizes so could be small or med.)

tbh - id be looking at getting children of their age to be running experienced dogs in junior classes to begin with.
 
Very good at agility, good with other dogs but can stand up for themselves if it is needed etc., a Västgötaspets/Swedish Vallhund fits your requirements to the letter I would say.

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9 weeks old
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:D

P.s. Natural bobtails are not uncommon.
 
They are lovely wee dogs, I must look into them :) .
Very honest looking little things.

Just a general comment that I find hilarious looking back... The first dog I ran in a local agility competition was Jade, my daddy's big tough looking GSD un-neutered male. I was 9 when I started training him by myself, he was also 9 (he was PTS three years later due to his hips). It obviously wasn't competitive, I ran him on a lead, but half way through one of my rounds my daddy shouted from the sidelines "Come on Jade" so he went to daddy, with me trailing behind him on the lead. With a bit of sending away of the dog by daddy, we returned to the ring. After all that, we still came second :D. He was the most genuine dog I have ever come across, and I firmly believe that without him I would have no interest in the three troublemakers I have now!
 
i have a whippet who looooves agility and lives with a rather rough playing dobermann aswell :P they are very good with children and love to cuddle up with them but are also loyal. mine is really good round an agility course as she doesnt go shooting off in front, leaving me behind and are naturally agile for things like the weaving poles :D

they are suprisingly robust aswell :D
 
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