AGILITY DOODLES

Comment

Comment by LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!! on March 14, 2009 at 12:42pm

I think which agility organization your decide to participate in is, at least in part, what's available in your area! Plus, there's really no reason to limit yourself to one organization. I know lots of people that participate in 2 or more organizaitons.

I've attended NADAC and UKC agility trials. Both encourage "all american breeds". There are no USDAA trials in my area but I'm trying to find one near enough to attend. I also went to last years AKC National Agility Champtionships which was a lot of fun. I had Lucy with me and she was about 3-4 months old. Everyone thought she was a "porti" portuguese water dog and when I said she was a doodle.. well, you'd have thought I said SNAKE!! LOL and yes, I'm generalizing.. I also met some very nice people who thought Lucy was wonderful. People are people and not all of us can be doodle-people!

The courses are a bit different between UKC and NADAC and my preference is NADAC (but again, it's just preference). UKC in general has "looser" rules for qualifying rounds. Go to their websites and read all about em (click on names above).. but remember you can't judge an organization by it's webpage.. I highly recommend attending an event. They are soooo much fun and everyone is nice and eager to share information with you.

Golden retrievers have been national champions several times in agility... my thoughts are that we will soon see a doodle take a championship... could be one of ours!!! (If I can get my stumbling front cross under control LOL)

Comment by Nancy - Opal, Meadow & Tariki on March 13, 2009 at 10:40pm

Oh BTW Linda, I got engaged in New Orleans. Hope to come back for an anniversary. He proposed in the lounge at the Monteleone in the French Quarter.

Comment by Nancy - Opal, Meadow & Tariki on March 13, 2009 at 10:37pm

Ahhh but Linda you apparently ROCK! Mardi Paws? LMAO that is too coool!!!! I love that you just avoid or take out of your world the non believers. I was so blown away with the attitude of the person who wanted us removed from the dog show (AND he was a local vet - no business coming from us I tell you)... I am just not like that... everyone is who they are and I like everyone.. not EVERYTHING about everyone.. just apprecicate their great qualities. So I really get bewilderd by crap attitudes.

So look out you Agility SNOBS.... my girl is gonna kick some Canine BUTT.

Comment by Linda and Murphy on March 13, 2009 at 6:45pm

I am from the New Orleans area. Most of the trials in my immediate area are AKC but we watch for the NADAC and USDAA (which we have not done). The agility club that I am affiliated with is AKC, and I must admit there are several people I simply avoid because of their attitudes...don't need that hassle.
There are very few Doodles in this area, and Murphy appears to be a giant (but he is from Texas).
In the Mardi Paws parade a few weeks ago, we saw 2 doodles in the crowd (probably 3000 people.) and everyone was thrilled (they actually knew Murphy was a Doodle!) He is so calm in crowds. He loves older people and actually went up to 3 different ladies in wheelchairs. They were thrilled, I was thrilled, Murphy was "whats the big deal..?".

Comment by Nancy - Opal, Meadow & Tariki on March 13, 2009 at 3:41pm

I have also run into other poodle breeders who are extremely offended... personally I think it is mostly because Australian Labradoodles are going for MUCH more money.

ANyways, I don't see why people have to be difficult. We are all out to enjoy our pets. Agility is such a positive sport. My dogs eyes said, "I am JAZZED - this is SO cool!". She was very happy to be there. There was another doodle in the lesson but I didn't get a chance to go say hi. Want to know where he is from... could be a child of my girl for all I know.

Is everyone here from the US? I have not looked into what the associations are like up here. I somehow feel that we are very limited due to the AKC... but I am not sure. That is a real dilemma with the ILP.

Comment by Nancy - Opal, Meadow & Tariki on March 13, 2009 at 3:35pm

Hey, has this group come alive or what!!! There is some really neat info... thanks guys!! I have to tell yout hat my breeder and I almost got removed from a dog show - if you can believe it. We were paying the onsite eye doctor to test the dogs eyes (14 dogs at $45 each) and a poodle breeder was offended by us and wanted us removed. Another breeder went to bat for us and said that if it was a Heniz 57 and someone wanted topay to ahve the eys checked it shoudl still be allowed.... it's for the benefit of the dog whatever breed.

Comment by Kim Williams on March 13, 2009 at 2:00pm

Linda and Jane,
You guys are great!! Parris is also my only nonAKC dog and my BEST!! Doodles are SO smart and love the whole learning thing that comes with obedience and agility. So glad you guys are into agility.
Kim

Comment by Linda and Murphy on March 13, 2009 at 1:29pm

Kim,
We have been to 2 NADAC trials and Murphy was the only "All American" breed there. I went to watch a trial in Gulfport last fall and one lady was adamantly against Murphy and doodles and why would you ruin 2 perfectly good breeds. I calmly explained that he is the only nonAKC dog I have ever had and he is also the best I have ever had.
After she finally walked off, one of the ladies nearby said she didn't know how I held my temper. That is the only direct negative interaction I have had.
The other AKC people have come to enjoy his goofiness and enthusiasm
They genuinely laugh at his antics and say stuff like " he just makes me smile when he is out there"
I hope you and Parris have a wonderful time.

Comment by Kim Williams on March 13, 2009 at 1:19pm

Linda and Jane,
Thanks for all the good info and advice!! I will let you know how we do tomorrow.
Someone at agility mentioned ILP's to me but it sounded like we wouldn't be "welcome"???? Kinda like I would be forcing the issue???? When I went to a NADAC trial just to watch, I didn't see any mixed breeds even though they are allowed. If you can believe this,one of my agility teachers said " I am not really into the doodle thing" Needless to say, I was taken aback by his attitude. So, I really just try to ignore him because Parris and I are having a lot of fun. The idea of a "clean run" is such a fun challenge.

Comment by Linda and Murphy on March 13, 2009 at 9:58am

Kim, the more places you can take Parris the better.
One key thing that has been pounded into my head is that they do not generalize. Even if they do the teeter at home just fine, it may look like something they have never seen in a new location.
I think my problem with Murphy is that it is a social event and he is there to have a wonderful time (which he does). When people comment that they "have never seen a dog run with a smile on his face before" not qualifying is okay.

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