Thank You Stacey for chiming in and I agree with what she says.That is great Silaria that you want to be a TDAA judge but I am sorry like I said before it is JMO and (we are all not going to agree )that TDAA is meant for toy breeds and if I put Shadow in there I would be yanking him around that course and seeing a chiro every time I showed in that venue as well as Sting.Cheryl if you put Kojii in there you would be running him in collection.
Teacup Agility
- Thread starter Sharon
- Start date
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
I don't really believe there are shelties who are well suited to tdaa. A slow dog is only going to be slower and more demotivated by courses that are tight and require them to be even more handler focused, slow, and cautious. It is counterproductive to run that type of dog in a venue where they must be cautious and overly attentive at all times. You can not move forward, grow, and expect more from the dog while you continue to ask the dog to be slow, cautious, and handler focused. I have yet to meet a Sheltie who would benefit from that type of set up. A slow dog will only be made slower.
I don't think any of us want a slow dog regardless of what our goals are. We may not all want the next up and coming world team dog, but I think we would all like a dog with at least moderate speed who can easily make course time.
While it may be easy to run this type of dog in tdaa because them often trotting or cantering slowly and being by ones side lends itself to completing these small tight courses, it isn't helping the dog to become a better agility dog. Courses that are more wide open and that encourage speed... Some usdaa and nadac, while not as easy for these dogs to make time, would actually be most beneficial for the dogs as their course types would allow the slower more cautious dog to pick up and really run without being cranked on as much. You are more likely to get speed out of a slower dog on a big flowing course with lots of room to run than on a tight course.
I think most of us strive to get the most out of our dogs, and a sheltie, be it a fast sheltie, or a slow sheltie, is never going to be able to give their handler the most and meet the full potential that is there running a venue that works against that. They are just big enough that it would be tight for them, making big moving dogs have to crank constantly and bounce jump, and slow dogs slow down more and watch their handlers more. It is because of this that I feel it is not a suitable venue for Shelties.
Besides that, I got a great mental image of my friends 20" bc trying to run tdaa. It would be hilarious. He ran his last jww at close to 6.5yps and is one of the most talented dogs I've met. I could see him crashing jumps left and right, body frantically scrambling to try to make turns and him flying past weave pole entries. A dog like him would pretty much destroy a tdaa course. Bar setters would hate him. No, I don't think the 20" dogs should be brought in at all.
I don't think any of us want a slow dog regardless of what our goals are. We may not all want the next up and coming world team dog, but I think we would all like a dog with at least moderate speed who can easily make course time.
While it may be easy to run this type of dog in tdaa because them often trotting or cantering slowly and being by ones side lends itself to completing these small tight courses, it isn't helping the dog to become a better agility dog. Courses that are more wide open and that encourage speed... Some usdaa and nadac, while not as easy for these dogs to make time, would actually be most beneficial for the dogs as their course types would allow the slower more cautious dog to pick up and really run without being cranked on as much. You are more likely to get speed out of a slower dog on a big flowing course with lots of room to run than on a tight course.
I think most of us strive to get the most out of our dogs, and a sheltie, be it a fast sheltie, or a slow sheltie, is never going to be able to give their handler the most and meet the full potential that is there running a venue that works against that. They are just big enough that it would be tight for them, making big moving dogs have to crank constantly and bounce jump, and slow dogs slow down more and watch their handlers more. It is because of this that I feel it is not a suitable venue for Shelties.
Besides that, I got a great mental image of my friends 20" bc trying to run tdaa. It would be hilarious. He ran his last jww at close to 6.5yps and is one of the most talented dogs I've met. I could see him crashing jumps left and right, body frantically scrambling to try to make turns and him flying past weave pole entries. A dog like him would pretty much destroy a tdaa course. Bar setters would hate him. No, I don't think the 20" dogs should be brought in at all.
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
That is awesome! See, I'd love to do that. Every venue (it seems to me), brings new challenges to us as a team. So I can only imagine how much knowledge your friend has gained over the years with her BC.
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
I agree Sharon. And that's why I wouldn't run Koji in it at all (he's way too tall). BUT, Koji has been running in collection in AKC lately with their tight crazy courses. Although I'm enjoying the challenge of the courses, I can't say it's been fun running in collection the entire time (for me or him).
But if I wanted to get Miko into agility (back in the day), honestly, TDAA would be an awesome venue for him. He hated the full sized equipment and was super slow (he trotted....slowly).
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
LOL. Had the picture in my mind. I think that's why I really wonder why Bud decided to go ahead with the 20". That's pushing it way too much.
Granted though, I saw the 22-26" (USDAA jump height) do the same thing to a starters course. And I was jump setter. It sucked.
Calliesmom
Moderator
well, she probably learned more from her previous dogs- only been running the BC for maybe 2 years.
Silaria
Forums Sage
Will someone please show me where in this thread I said I agreed with 20" dogs in TDAA? I do not agree with that rule change; I've said that two or three times now. My club does not permit 20" dogs (clubs have right of refusal on the 20" rule).
I read where you said you didnt agree with 20 inch dogs allowed.