Corgi Forums

Michael Romanos · **Is agility damaging to Corgis -** 11-29-2005, 06:05 PM

Corgis are excellent performers in agility and there are a few misconceptions about their ability to withstand the physical requirements.

Corgis are bred as all-round farm dogs capable of performing a myriad of tasks.

Corgis are ideal for agility in being bold, having an outgoing personality, in loving challenges and in their need for lots of exercise.

Corgis must be of sound conformation and in good physical (slim) condition to participate in agility.

Back and joint problems usually are associated with overweight and/or poorly exercised Corgis or poorly bred Corgis.

So in answer to Jane and any other Corgi owner out there wondering if Corgis are suitable for agility due to possible back and joint damage, I think that the risks are no greater than for any other breed.

Any signs of an injury or pain through agility, the owner/handler needs to take immediate action such as halting any further proceedings until consulting with a vet. Examples of these signs of discomfort would be a Corgi showing reluctance to perform (jump etc) or in suddenly losing enthusiasm for the sport. Any injury though could simply be muscular and after a course of massaging and a break away from training, things will be all-go again.

Jane Austen · 11-29-2005, 06:09 PM

Thanx Michael I was missing your voice this last few days.

corgimom · 09-07-2006, 08:14 AM

I see that this is an old thread, but I will post this here.

While picking up Cody from Doggy daycare yesterday I was inquiring about their agility classes they offer. The lady said they usually don't recommend them until they are 1 1/2 to 2 years old - as far as the jumping part, but have other "intro" basic classes for the bit younger dog.

She then mentioned that if one was thinking about it, they should have their dogs hips and elbows x-rayed to make sure they are okay - and said a good time would be when the pet is neutered just because they are under anesthesia. She quoted something like only costs usually $40 to have this done - that sounds on the cheap end to me for x-rays compared to what my vet charges.

Anyway, is this advised for anyone thinking about doing agility with their Corgi or any dog for that matter?

Chip's Mom · 09-07-2006, 08:38 AM

Linda:

I am waiting until Chip is one year old to start the jumping part of the agility. The tunnels he can go through. I pick him up and put him on the table for the ones we have done so far in class.

corgimom · 09-07-2006, 08:47 AM

What about doing X-rays on his hips or elbows? This lady said it should be done for any dog(whatever the age) before beginning the jumping part of agility with your dog.

Have you heard that?

This is new to me, so I am not familiar with any of this.

Michael Romanos · 09-07-2006, 11:00 PM

In NZ, you cannot enter into competitive agility until any dog is 18 months old but you can start agility training at aged one year.

If I was playing it absolutely safe, I wouldn't start Corgis on agility training until they are 18 months old. On other threads, I have argued for Corgi freedom to be able to fully express themselves physically and mentally. But I also recognise that Corgis are one of the few breeds in the world that are 'achondroplastic.' And because of this, their centre of gravity is different from 'normal' dogs. Corgis as everyone knows, is a long back dog with very short legs. If their spinal column takes a hammering the result could be the loss of the use of their hindquarters late in life. Now any breed of dog can have this fate - but it is more of a factor in dogs that are achondroplastic.

So, Corgis need to be treated a little more carefully than most breeds to ensure that their backs don't take a 'hammering.' And so at the earlier stages of development it pays to err on the side of caution. Otherwise a Corgi is as strong and hardy as any much bigger breed and they can jump, and do very athletic things and run like the wind.

CorgiMum · 10-28-2006, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Romanos

Back and joint problems usually are associated with overweight and/or poorly exercised Corgis or poorly bred Corgis.

I agree, our Vet has said many time that it is the Non Athlete that usually gets hurt. And I have have always understood as well that 18 months is when they should start jumping, not before. They need that time for their bones to grow, and for their 'shock absorbers' to develope.

Chip's Mom · 10-30-2006, 06:29 AM

I watched some Novice agility competition on Saturday and I thought Chip could do this easily. He already flies through the tunnel and doesn't even look for a treat. Can you start training at 1 year with very low to the ground jumps or should I wait? Chip jumps on the sofa, hallway bench to look out the window, etc and I am not sure how to keep him from doing this - is that bad for his back.

corgimom · 10-30-2006, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip's Mom

I watched some Novice agility competition on Saturday and I thought Chip could do this easily. He already flies through the tunnel and doesn't even look for a treat. Can you start training at 1 year with very low to the ground jumps or should I wait? Chip jumps on the sofa, hallway bench to look out the window, etc and I am not sure how to keep him from doing this - is that bad for his back.

Bonnie I would like to know the answer in regards to jumping on the sofa also.

Cody always jumps on and off the sofa with his toys. When he plays with his balls, the first thing he does is jump on the sofa with it, then knocks it off with his nose - goes to retrieve it and back up on the sofa to repeat it again. He does this continually for several more times; whether he is playing by himself or if I am playing with him.

This is one of his favorite things to do with his balls; so if this is not good for his back, then I have to somehow put a stop to that.

Chip's Mom · 10-30-2006, 06:48 AM

Chip has started jumping up on the bench in the entrance hall and standing on the narrow arm of the bench and watching out the door window for us to come home. It is hard to keep them down. He also jumps from the floor to the bench at the end of the bed and up on the bed. Last night he jumped from the floor to the top of his crate to lay down. (King Chip sleeps on top of his crate)

LittlePonzo · 10-30-2006, 11:52 AM

Yeah, I would like to know about that. I always worry everytime he does it but he is so fast, it's hard to stop him. And our new bed is much too high, we usually have to pick him up and place him up with us as well as put him off of the bed too. However, sometimes he is just too quick. I am seriously considering those pet steps for our bedroom just for his safety, but I feel like that may be just too accomodating for him and now he really "running" our lives. Like before, I fake it or something and the steps would be just a dead give away that we have become "those dog people" everyone is always telling us not be! HAHAHAHAH!

Chip's Mom · 10-30-2006, 02:01 PM

I thought about those steps too but I would have to have one for the sofa, one for the bed and one for the lookout bench for Chip ahoy! Then would they use one if they had it. I don't think so. My husband built Chip a little stool when he was a baby for getting on the sofa and he didn't use that either.

brynlea · 10-30-2006, 03:04 PM

I have become anti-agility as far as Corgis are concerned. If you are a "casual competitor" and don't drill your dog or try and run the dog when he/she has been injured, well, that's one thing - but I have yet to see many people who get involved in this sport NOT get obsessed with it, and that takes it's toll on the dogs. I have seen Corgis in VERY good physical shape with good structure end up VERY damaged from competitive agility and I don't like it one bit. The other thi

Corgi Forums

Is agility damaging to Corgis