82 replies to this topic

[Root Beer]

I can definitely see why ABC classes exist (and I always through they were "anything but collie" classes meaning any sort of collie not just Borders?). In an agility system where you need WINS to graduate through levels, if you have a dog in the same height class as Border Collies (or heading dogs in NZ), there are ALWAYS going to be dogs that are faster than yours.

It does make more sense in places where you need wins to progress, although I would say that if that is the case, maybe all of of the dogs should be broken up into "classes", such as they do for Conformation (not the same ones), to put all of the dogs of similar build and running style together. Mixes could be tested to fit them into the most appropriate class.

Also, "Anything but a Collie" that includes Shelties, Aussies, and other similar herding breeds (along with similar mixes, I gather) also makes a lot more sense to me than singling out the Border Collies.

But in this country, progress does not depend upon "beating" anyone, and under those circumstances, I consider separating out the Border Collies - and only the Border Collies - to be flat out stereotyping and discrimination (I know that's strong language - but that my point of view and a Border Collie handler who does not fit the stereotype of having a Border Collie to be competitive). Separate out the Shelties and the Aussies, and whatever dogs tend to run fastest in the shortest heights, and I would object far less.

[mum24dog]

Also, "Anything but a Collie" that includes Shelties, Aussies, and other similar herding breeds (along with similar mixes, I gather) also makes a lot more sense to me than singling out the Border Collies.

There are already people here in the UK who think we should have ABK classes - Anything But a Kelpie.

But if the kelpies were taken out too there would just be another breed that is generally more competitive than the rest against the BCs. It used to be BSDs before kelpies became popular.

But a lot of people who have rushed to get a kelpie because there are some very good ones at the top have come unstuck, just like some people who have got a BC because they think it is an easy passport to success.

I can't think of any other herding breed that causes any complaints because they challenge the good BCs and kelpies.

[mum24dog]

As pieces of European courses start to matriculate into the agility scene here in the states, we will see far more purpose in all of the "fancy handling moves" that Europeans have been using for years.

Maybe, maybe not.

There's quite a lot of fancy European stuff in handling that doesn't seem to create much, if any advantage over a more straightforward approach.

I can compare top handlers here that have adopted a more European style of handling with others who prefer the KISS approach and neither seems to have a particular advantage over the other.

Yet another example of "Just because you can doesn't mean you should".

Some of our members went on a Ketschker and similar move based training day earlier this year. We all spent weeks practising them but has anyone actually used them in competition? No (well maybe the odd occasion)- not even the ones who were so enthusiastic about them originally.

It boils down to what the individual handler and dog are comfortable with. Be prepared to learn new things but don't feel obliged to use them if you don't see the point or it doesn't suit you or your dog.