Should I "shop" for an "agility" dog?

Those are two very gorgeous dogs! Those eyes really get you~

 

went to agility trials today... every second dog is bc, every third is aussie, then some sheltie and very few of other breeds...

 

I would go with an aussie, even though I do absolutely love shelties, because I love watching aussies do agility. Shelties would always be my first choice for a companion/conformation dog however.

My personal thought, if I was ever to decide to compete in agility, would be to go pick up a slightly older stir crazy mutt at the shelter and go from there. That however is not for everyone!

My Laika though is a border collie/husky/?? mix, and I did agility with her for a short time when she was younger. They basically told me that if she didn't have so many issues with other dogs she could make it to the top. I quit because I got frustrated and wasn't all that interested in the sport. Now I always look back and wish I would not have quit. At over eight years old she can still jump over a 36 in barrier from a stand still, and out run Aztec who is half her age. She has incredible drive. Sometimes you find the best gems at the shelter.

 

Many BCs are great athletes, but not all. One of the trainers we've studied under has a BC that can run an agility course flawlessly, but he has absolutely no drive. No matter what breed or mix, if you want to be competitive in agility the dog must have drive and proper structure.

I still think no dog looks better on the course than a Sheltie. You just can't beat the look of a flowing mane and Sheltie smile.

 

Woops... missed the more updated posts.
I feel that someone who actively competes in performance venues, or one that has sold a number of dogs who have gone on to be TOP agility dogs (not just any agility dog in other words... as there are a LOT of mediocre ones out there who will never go very far- probably not the best suited dogs) will have a better idea of what is actually going to be required of a performance dog. They will better be able to evaluate a future performance pup to determine their suitability as one.
Of course, we all get it wrong from time to time... It is always somewhat of a gamble buying a puppy, for anything, not just performance, but in my opinion at least, it makes your odds a bit better, having someone who is actually familiar with what makes a great performance dog to evaluate the puppies over someone who has never done it, and truly doesn't know.

 

There is an Aussie in Diva agility class. He is fast and has tons of drive but he is stubborn and quite frankly an idiot. He wrecks the courses, bars go flying everywhere, he doesn't listen to his owner and has the sensitivity of a brick. I have trained with other Aussies and they are the same way. No thanks. I need a dog I can live with too. I am sure there are good Aussie but they aren't my style.