I like all of them, but agility is my passion. Partly for the teamwork and bond you build with your dog, and partly for the friends I've made who share the passion. I think a lot depends on the dog you have, each dog I've owned has different strengths. Any dog can do any of those sports, provided they don't have physical issues that prevent them. One myth is that you need a high drive dog like a border collie to do agility. If you are extremely competitive, and want to always be "the best", well then a BC is usually a good choice. But not all BC's excel at it or have high drive, and those that do can be crazy to live with, unless you have lots of time and energy to keep them busy all the time. Myself, I prefer a biddable, medium drive dog, that is my pet first, and my competition dog second. I did competitions a couple of weekends a month, ( my dog is 12 and semi retired now) but I live with them 24/7/365. I always tell people, get a dog you can live with, and then try out different dog sports and see which one you and your dog are suited to. A LOT of people start taking classes and end up dropping out because it does require work. If you are a training junkie like me, then you'll find one that works for you. Lots of Aussies in agility, Goldens also can do very well, as do shelties and corgis. You don't need a working breed, however, lots of small breeds do well. Papillons can do extremely well, Pomeranians and Boston terriers as well. Lots of Jack Russels in agility. I met a chihuahua whose drive would put lots of dogs to shame. Go to a few trials and watch, and see what you think. One thing people don't realize about agility, is that it takes, on average, a good year to get a dog competition ready, and still longer to work your way up to the top levels and becoming a team. Nobody starts out looking like the dogs on TV.
For me, rally, nose work and barn hunt are things I did to keep my retired agility dogs minds and bodies busy when they couldn't do the jumping anymore. I like them, but not enough to really work at it. Although, I think my mutt (in my avatar) is going to be a good barn hunt dog.
Thanks for all the info, it's really helpful. I definitely love trianing but I do worry a tad that it might be
too many sports lol I might just do agility and nosework. Idk. I can jump off docks and swim in lakes for free and rally, I downloaded an app with all the signs and videos of the exercises being done and WOW there are a lot of signs lol most of them are just variations of the same stuff, like heeling but just various turns, or sits and downs and stays, but still. Some are complicated lol maybe you never actually do all those exercises? Idk. Still seems like a lot to learn lol but we'll see. But yeah, I did read that it can take a while, nosework too. I assume agility is because you have to learn all the handling and ground skills, directionals, contacts, etc. Before you even hit the obstacles? And nosework is of course just practicing in varying locations, distractions, etc. Although I thought agility they really shouldn't jump until like 18 months old? At least competitively.
Anyway, I think I'm kind of similar to you. Just want a biddable, medium drive dog, or even lower, but also friendly. I want a pet first. Which is part of why I don't want a BC, not sure I could handle one though they seem amazing. Same with Malinois. And part of why I want to go with Golden instead of Aussie. At first I was like all Golden then I thought I finally decided on an Aussie and I really do think I could handle one and they are slightly more goofy than BCs but then two things happened. One, an older Golden in the neighborhood got loose and he was soooo sweet. I mean, brought him in the house and yard and had him for like two hours. Wasn't aggressive towards brother's dog. Second, I saw a breeder on a raw food company website of all places and they have a show/field litter coming up soon and the sire is like... the perfect dog based on his description. They're in lile Indiana or something though so idk if it'll happen. But that kinda made me think, if I can find the right Golden then I do think they are the right breed. Every single one I've ever met has been incredibly sweet. There are two in brother's neighborhood that are dog aggressive and attacked the neighbor's dog but I think that's breeding or training and they're still people friendly. Plus we've always had retrievers or retriever mixes and I do love retrievers. Although I'm sure Aussies are great dogs and have known a few great ones in those too.
Smaller dogs can definitely do really well in agility, even excel, I've seen a lot of really talented little dogs. Big dogs can too though maybe not excel. Seen Mastiffs, Great Danes, even a Great Pyrenees doing it. But I don't just want a Golden or Aussie cause they're working breeds, I truly love the breeds. Although I love and want lots of little breeds as well and huskies (both Alaskan and Siberian), GSD (probably WGSL or WGWL), Leonberger, etc. And terriers. But none of the others really work right now and Aussie and Golden are the best fits atm I think. Or Lab. Somewhat sick of stubborn dogs so Husky I think might be out plus they need so much physical exercise rather than being able to get away with more mental, Leonbergers are way too big and too much hair, and GSDs are too protective, my parents don't really like them, and most places don't allow them anyway. And little dogs are too little unfortunately. Don't want them getting crushed by Gator or Libby or their bigger doggy friends lol
Definitely going to go to some trials though.
But I want a dog than can do at least a couple sports, learn tricks, and wants to/can hike, possibly bike, swim, etc. And travel places.
