They're extremely agile dogs who will climb trees if at all possible.
Posted on 02/01/2012 6:15:57 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
PITTSBURGH—Amber, a canine athlete, recently won first place in an agility competition, narrowly beating out Daisy, a Chihuahua, in the 4-inch-tall category.
The 3-year-old, four-pound Yorkshire, who wore a ribbon in her hair for the event, cleared several hurdles and tunnels, zigzagged through poles and traversed a teeter-totter at an average two yards per second in a race against the clock. Amber's owner credits her success to practice and mentoring from a family member, Tiffany, who competes in the 8-inch category and has several titles, including Teacup Agile Dog Champion.
"Amber just follows everything Tiffany does," says Phyllis Bandi, who has a scrapbook filled with awards devoted to each of the Yorkshires.
Many animals compete in agility contests, which involve creatures, directed by their owner or trainer, negotiating timed obstacle courses. Feline events feature cats, enticed by a toy or feather on a stick, who attempt to clear hurdles, stairs and jumps without knocking any down, in under four minutes and 30 seconds. Some distracted cats have taken 15 minutes. Many contests are sponsored by the Cat Fanciers' Association, which has a feline agility coordinator and training video, offering tips on coaxing reluctant cats through tunnels.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Agililty dog and cat ping!
A JRT on a mission is a sight to behold. Jacks have three speeds-asleep,all out and turbo.
These “dogs” are not really dogs.
You're probably right. I'm more a fancier of the hound breeds, myself, and prefer a big dog. But there's a certain fascination in the little rodent-like things. I was recently given a half-Chihuahua, half-lemur critter and she has a good bit of charm as long as you don't expect her to kill a burglary or round up a herd of cattle as a real dog would. Meanwhile, it's pretty cute to have an Eohippus-type creature following me around.
I am not a dog person, if I had been around when canines were being domesticated it would have never happened.
However, I am partial to Rhodesian Ridge-backs.
My daughter has a couple of Catahoula hounds, they are ok. Very loyal to the kids and have the energy to keep up.
I do like the “rodent-like thing” description.
That is true. ;-)
I just wish those big dogs would stop thinking they are lap dogs.
This helps me look forward to both the SB and the Puppy Bowl!
I used to have JRT’s. I loved racing them and doing go to ground.
Toy dogs are either physically sound enough, or they’re not. Not everyone is cut out to be a champion. Here’s the dog that won the 2011 toy dog class at the National Agility trial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxLPvLSmZQ0
She’s got it all because she’s an athlete AND she’s got one of the most accomplished trainers (of any breed) in the sport.
OMG. That is amazing! My Golden was sort of a dunce at agility. He loved the jumps, the weave and the A frame, but he was scared to death of the dog walk and the teeter totter and just refused. Finally, we just stopped going because I decided that if he wasn’t having fun, what was the point?
He saw his “friend”, a GSD, fall off of the dog walk; and that just ended it for him. It is not like I could pick him up and put him on the aparatus at 80 lbs. LOL
What an enthusiastic little competitor!
The dogwalk is definitely one of the contacts that give advantage to the toy dogs. The board is wider for them than it is for the bigger dogs. So they can fly across, where the big guys need to slow down and be more careful.
I think you were wise to listen to your dog. Perhaps you could try a different sport he would like - Rally or even tracking, for example.
Just adorable. I’m afraid I’d have a bit of trouble trying to get my little 3 pound “couch potato” to participate in agility. Some days I’m lucky just to get her to “sit!”
I used to have a friend with horses. Her farrier had a chihuahua. Every farrier has to have a dog. This was his.
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