Breeders and performance prospects

After learning more about Sheltie structure compared to agility, I'm beginning to realize how "correct" Sheltie structure isn't always conducive to agility (long-term on the body).

And in fact, sometimes "proper" structure for showing isn't always the same for sports in general. Or for being "working" dogs. If that makes sense. I'm in no way saying our dogs can't do it, but just like some people are built for speed and others for distance....I'd think it's the same with dogs...even within one breed. Especially one as young as ours.

I think when I get my next dog. I'm going to look for someone that knows more about "good structure" for the abuse agility puts on a dogs body. So, the dog may have good lines, good structure, but isn't a show dog.

Another thing I'm really thinking about....is NOT fixing my dog until they are at least 1 year old. The woman I saw that checked out Koji's structure said he looks like a puppy still (coat, body, etc). Poor thing. He never matured physically in a handful of ways. But at least she said he had good feet. :)

I guess, although I'll never want a "agility" dog like the pro's do, I still want to make sure their bodies will be okay in the long run. I mean, me and my brother were talking about this on Christmas. We played sports all our lives....and we've had issues from the time we were in high school and things only get worse. So we were both old and broken before we were breaking 30. hehehe.

I love threads like this. It helps me find the "right" breeder for me.
 
Theoretically, our standard lays out a fairly hearty, balanced working dog. So a dog bred to that standard would make a fine agility dog. If you can find a dog who is balanced, front and rear, that is more important than anything else. Get the best front you can, then match the rear.
 
Siberian Huskies are a perfect example of this. My uncles kennel bred both sled dogs and conformation dogs. Very different. The really good sled dogs were long legged and long bodied, compared to the heavier boned squared body type of the conformation dog.

Setters are another example. You will see "field", meaning working setters, less feathering, and I believe less weight (?). Correct me if I am wrong. "Bench" setters are conformation dogs. Same breed.
 
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