I regularly get applications for agility puppies as my boy Orbit is seen looking great while competing and winning his legs in AKC agility events and he is so fast that the trainers have a cute nick name for him --he is called the cavalier boarder collie.
When a person comes to me asking specifically for an agility dog they are usually well versed in what it takes to compete and are prepared to properly train from puppy on.Often they ran another breed and now are interested in cavaliers. They are willing to invest in the dog to acquire a level of speed and accuracy to be titled. Those wanting to prepare a cavalier for agility are also wise enough not to enter agility( other than flat work) until xrays are taken to assure the growth plates are well closed. The owners that scare me are the ones who call me for advise on entering agility because the bought an active cavalier puppy and think it should be in agility simply because it has puppy energy. My response to them is to go straight to puppy obediance and harness that energy into obediance. While I am raising my litter, I am considering the temperments of each puppy and watchful of their individual obediance responses, plus keeping records of their individual stamina levels to decide if any has the qualities for agility- I also consider the structure of the puppy. Injury in agility often occurs when sending a dog out that hasn't the proper front assembly structure. In my opinion overall structure , front and rear plus good amount of bone and stamina and overall health has to be considered before placing a puppy in a home with any person who's designs on the puppy would be to compete in the sport of agility. If a puppy is identified in a litter as having the traits to be a athlete then the second half is finding the perfect partner for that talented puppy. Sarah West Westcourt Cavaliers ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
