> We have trained three of our Cavaliers in agility. In general, I have > found that they are not naturals to the sport, as are Border Collies, > but some have potential -- others would be hopeless, destined to be > couch potatoes. Of our three agility dogs, each has called for a > different training approach. I have found them to be much more of a > training and handling challenge than are the more popular agility > breeds. > Cavaliers may not be the "naturals" that Border Collies or some Shelties are, but most Cavaliers are born wanting to please their owner which makes them very biddable partners in agility. I agree with Rod that the average Cavalier is not as likely to be a good agility dog as the average BC or Sheltie. However I do think that the average Cavalier can do agility, get Novice and Open titles, and provide their owners with lots of fun and an incredible bond that is hard to feel with other breeds (I may be biased :)). I have trained and handled four Cavaliers to agility titles. I've also trained and handled a Sheltie. And this year I've been running a BC belonging to my trainer, in addition to my two Cavaliers. But my really thrilling runs are with my older Cavalier. Josie is close to a "natural", but I didn't discover this talent until she was 8 years old. She was the quintessential Cavalier couch potato. It was only by accident that I decided to attempt to get a novice AKC title with her. She earned that and has never looked back. No dogs are born looking for an agility course to run, but certainly there are those with the conformation, attitude, and drive to become great agility dogs. This is true in any breed. Where Rod lives there are a couple of the best agility Cavaliers in the country, including the only MACH2 Cavalier. So I know that Rod has seen very good Cavaliers running agility. I also know that he has seen the work and dedication that went into making them good and capable of competing near the top of the sport. Rod has seen others that don't have the drive or attitude to even stay in the ring. But you can see Shelties like that too, and even the odd BC.
There are five MACH Cavaliers and one with a MACH2 (something only about 70 dogs in history have accomplished). Given the relatively low numbers of Cavaliers competing, I think this shows that Cavaliers can be extremely talented agility dogs. There are more entering the sport every day and some of them are quite good! If I was buying a Cavalier with the intention of doing agility, I would certainly want to stack the deck in my favor by searching for one with a great attitude, excellent conformation, and parents that have had the proper health testing. Then it's all up to you to make it a great agility partner. Betsey Lynch & CH MACH Josie (11 years old next week) CH Jamie, MX, MXJ, AAD, 6th place AKC Nationals-1998, Grand Prix Semifinalist-1999; (7 years old and retired) Trouble, AX, AXJ (16 months old) Tess, NA, OAJ (5 years old) ========================================================= "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.
