Can mixed breeds be good agility dogs?
Absolutely! A dog does not need to have the potential to become a national champion in order to enjoy agility with his handler. As long as your mixed breed is healthy and fit, you can start agility training at any time.
Some mixed breeds have even won the Westminster Agility Championship, such as the rescue dog Roo in 2014. Agility is all about having a dog connect with his owner and having a good time, and any dog regardless of pedigree will love to do that!
What dogs are not good for agility?
Any dog that is overweight or injured should not start agility training. You also do not want to start jumping training with a young puppy.
Senior dogs are not the best choice for an agility dog – they are not athletic enough anymore. They often have joint pains that will get worse through repetitive exercise. It is not fair to subject them to the physical requirements of agility training.
Some very heavy breeds or breeds that are not athletic at all should not start agility training. If you own a Basset Hound or Tibetian Mastiff, your dog will probably enjoy another sport such as nosework more than agility training.
