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A friend of mine, the last couple times I saw her at trials, kept suggesting
that it would be fun to adapt agility to specific groups of breeds: The
sighthounds would have tall, skinny tunnels, while toy breeds would have itty
bitty equipment very close together. So in her honor (do you really want the
credit, Lynn?), and in the whimsical spirit of the holiday season, here are a
few starting suggestions, if the *dogs* were to design the game.
Sighthounds: All jumps at least 36" high; more room between
them (to pick up speed). 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 launching off... 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.
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 (ie. 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.
Toy breeds: All equipment scaled down, & much closer together. Table
replaced by little old lady in a wheelchair. If dog leaves lap to complete
rest of course, that's an NQ. (In honor of Kaki, who did agility beyond
most people's expectations, but preferred therapy visits & lap-sitting.)
"Protective" working breeds: Run the course, while making sure that
the nasty old judge is never allowed on the same course with mom. Alternately,
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/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 (Newfs, PWDs, etc): Install the agility course on
the bottom of the lake. Dog & 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...
No offense 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.
Susan Waltman <waltman@cpcug.org>
Puzzle the saluki
Dandy the sheltie |
