One step beyond ABC
When a friend of Susan Waltman kept suggesting
that it would be fun to adapt agility to specific groups of breeds she finally decided to have
a go. She let her imagination run wild and tried to imagine what the dogs themselves would come
up with if left to design the game. In the whimsical spirit of the holiday season, here is what
she came up with. Can you do better?
 Schnauzers
This form of agility would be open to all three sizes of
schnauzers. The dog would be shown the course map ahead of time. No numbered cones would be
used. The dog and handler team that correctly completes the course with the handler running the
most efficient path would be declared the winner. Alternatively, each dog would have two
handlers. One would walk the course while the dog watched. The other would run the course
taking the path dictated by the dog. In either event the dog's wrong courses would not be
penalised, only the handler wrong courses would be faults. Diana Barber
 Colliador
As a one-off Colliador, Bramble has her own way of looking
at things. There would be lots of big jumps to fly over - that's the keen collie half - and
plenty of tunnels to steam through - there goes the Labrador. The contact obstacles are okay,
but please can she have a big reminder that the see-saw is the see-saw as it's a
bit embarrassing to find yourself six feet up in mid-air 'cos you weren't listening. She would
like to add a few new obstacles to the course such as a big wooden stile that's for showing off
and a ditch. Jumping or swimming is optional but you must finish with mud up to
your tummy. And don't forget a sofa. One wet afternoon her 'dad' decided that indoor agility
was the way to go. And the weaves? Well, a little pack of canine teenage hooligans with big
teeth would be just the job!
Lizzie Fotheringham
 Doberman
Pinschers
An ideal course for my
dobermans would need at least
six A-frames,
20 tunnels and a few
jumps which must
be jumped in a totally random order. The judge would have to be specially trained in speedily
moving the tunnels back to their original place
before the dobermann returns to it
- a matter of
seconds.
Oxygen tents would also be
useful for the handler at various points around the ring.
Lesley Crawford
 Poodles
Poodles will have a choice of two types of
competition.
- Style and grace - the winning poodle is the one judged
to jump with the most grace and poise in the air. The poodle will also need to be beautifully
groomed and be wearing the best bling. Posing for photographs whilst competing will not be
faulted.
- Most entertaining - For poodles who are not quite so
in love with themselves. This competition will be won by the poodle who gets the most laughs
whilst making the handler look silly! Points will be awarded for tricks such as ducking
behind handler and nipping into tunnel, followed by more points for a lap of honour to the
laughing audience. Pausing on top of the A-frame for over one minute will score double
points. The poodle who trips up the handler when nipping off in the wrong direction will not
be penalised for giving handler mouth to mouth resuscitation. Sharon Brewster
 Boxer/Bull
Breeds
Handler participation is purely optional as is course design. Numbers are also not
necessary. There should be as many people as possible on the course as introductions are so
important. People obstacles are more fun than inanimate ones so lots of these please. No
collies are allowed within a mile of the competition. One last thing... there should be several
photographers placed in strategic places for whom they will pose to catch that special moment
forever. Marcia Hocking
 Sighthounds
The Sighthounds would have tall, skinny tunnels. All jumps at least 36" high with more room
between them to pick up speed. There would be lots of spread jumps, some to be taken at sharp
angles (just because we can!). Oh yes, and a penalty for touching that
yellow stuff going up the a-frame. Who needs
up-contacts? The winner will be the dog who lands farthest from the a-frame after launch...
Bonus points to be awarded for each zoomies lap completed
within course time. Last obstacle will be the revised closed chute, which is to say, a
full-size couch, with blanket to burrow under.
 Toy
breeds
Toy breeds would have itty bitty equipment, very close together. All
the equipment would be scaled down and much closer together. The table replaced by little old
lady in a wheelchair. If dog leaves her lap to complete rest of course, that's a clear round.
 Scenthounds
Instead of wheeling the course, a smelly fox, coon, or rabbit-skin will be dragged along the
most efficient path of the course. No penalty will be assessed for going under jumps, provided
nose stays glued to the ground (i.e. dog never looked up to see there was a jump in front of
him). Agility shall be demonstrated by recovering quickly after dog trips over own ears.
 Protective
working breeds
These big tough dogs run the course, while making sure that the nasty
old judge is never allowed on the same course with mom. Alternately, they use the a-frame as a
Schutzhund blind. The judge/decoy shall hide until the dog is pre-occupied with a tunnel or
weave poles, then shall attempt to escape the course area without being caught & detained
by dog. Number of collections or challenges on the early part of agility course shall determine
how long dog is allowed to grip judge/decoy before being asked to release.
 Water
breeds
Install the agility course on the bottom of the lake. Dog and handler
shall swim the first part of the course together, including weave pole-buoys, then dog shall
tow handler to safety atop the a-frame. Handler shall direct rest of course from there,
including retrieving dropped scribe clipboard from bottom of lake. Underwater tunnels could be
interesting...
From Susan Waltman
No offence intended to any breed or group (not even the poor maligned
judges). I'm just acknowledging that formal agility competition in all weather conditions is
not exactly the job that each breed evolved to do. I, for one, appreciate our dogs' willingness
to play our silly games with us.
Now can you think of any other examples of
changes your dog would make?
Send your ideas to
Agilitynet.
E-greetings from Mari Hurskainen
with tongue in cheek...
Here are some ideas for Terriers I know would love. Obstacles are to
be taken in free order. The handler is not allowed to be anywhere near the course. The
tunnel is to be dug under. There will be four rats inside the chute. The dog who kills them the
fastest is the winner. Whichever dog manages to bark the loudest with amount of decibels to be
judged to be the winner!
Border Collies:
The handler and dog team who manage to be the farthest away from each other during the whole
course win.
Picture credits: Dog with sock by Kim Blundell;
other characters from Man's Best Friend game produced by Mo-Net.
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