Clean Run - July 2012 - 37

As I look around at other competitors who run dogs we might call “not your normal agility dog breeds,” I can’t help both chuckling and yet being inspired at their determination to succeed. The thread that runs through all the stories about agility with alternative breeds is that we do agility with the dogs we love. Yes, we have to adapt and perhaps accept less than perfect performance, but at the end of the day, we can be content with living with the breed that suits our lives.

Tinkerbell earned her MACH2 in 2011 and was the first Yorkie to earn her MXF (Master Excellent Fast ) title. In USDAA she is the #2 All Time Yorkshire Terrier and the only one to earn a PDCH (Performance Dog Champion) title. She also has her TM (Tournament Master) title. She was invited to the AKC Agility Invitational in both 2010 and 2011, being the #2 and #3 Yorkshire Terrier in the US. She qualified to enter the 2012 AKC Nationals. Diann finds Tinkerbell to be very intelligent, independent, and yet sensitive. “It’s a tricky combination because much of the standard ‘mark the mistake’ training backfires with her. We just have to make the right thing more fun than anything else.” Diann credits some of her success to finding an agility teacher who understands and is sympathetic to the particular needs of the small breeds. She explains that Tinkerbell is a sensitive, soft dog that would not excel if treated or trained like a more driven, bolder dog. Diann has also found that as Tinkerbell has become more confident and faster, she has to increase her own strength and speed just to keep up. The result is the faster Diann gets, the faster Tinkerbell goes. She added: “Yorkies are terriers and can be strong willed and proud big dogs in a small package.” She finds she has to be patient and fun but be the leader while making Tink think it was her idea.

Shepherd. Deja is almost three and has earned her AX (Agility Excellent) and AXJ (Excellent Agility Jumpers) titles in AKC, and her AD (Agility Dog) title in USDAA. While Deja is very loyal and loving and even a clown at home, she is very guarded and sensitive to her environment when at a trial. Nancy has to work at helping her feel comfortable and focused at trials. Deja doesn’t do well with too many repetitions but is intelligent and learns tasks quickly. Nancy admitted that she likes dogs with lots of personality and intelligence but that are a bit different than the breeds normally seen. “Pyr Sheps are not the breed for everyone. Yes, they are very cute and look like moppets, but they do take more socializing and exercise than some of the other breeds. Would I get another one? Absolutely!”

with her dogs to handle and position them to get the best performance possible given their body type. She doesn’t compare their speed with the faster breeds but with other Schnauzers to see how they are progressing. Julie’s Schnauzers, nine-year-old Cinder and six-year-old Darla, have both earned their MACHs. They also have titles in obedience and rally. Julie is excited that Cinder qualified for AKC Nationals this year for the first time. Although her dogs can’t compare in speed, they are often more steady and dependable in competition. She found out how dependable when she ran her dogs in the rain and slipped and fell both times in front of the tunnel. Each time her dog came over to check on her and when she told them to go weave, they did! She was the only one that day who qualified despite her falling. Julie is very happy that she picked the Standard Schnauzer breed. “I am in awe of the lightning fast breeds, but I feel that I can keep up with my SS. That makes it more enjoyable for me and the dogs. I love to compete but having fun with my dogs is what it is all about.” D

Julie Henry and the Standard Schnauzers
Standard Schnauzers is the breed chosen by Julie Henry because they are smart, learn fast, and are dependable in the ring. Because of their boxy shape and muscular, heavy body, they aren’t as fast as many of the other breeds so rarely get first place awards. Julie has worked

Nancy Necker and the Pyr Shep
Nancy Necker has been doing agility for 15 years with herding breeds. She has an Australian Shepherd, a Corgi, and the newest addition, Deja, a Pyrenean

Juliet Franzen lives with her husband, Robert, and three dogs, Monique, Marcel, and Kai on the coast of Central California. She graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a BA in Philosophy and MA in Public and Social Affairs. After working as a Financial Consultant for 17 years, she retired to spend her time competing in agility with Marcel, her PBGV and Kai her Aussie. She can be reached at monmarkai@gmail.com. July 12 | Clean Run 37

Clean Run - July 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - July 2012