"Big dogs break down"

[dogmama]

I was told that the reason big dogs, e.g., GSD's, don't show much in agility is because they "break down." I'm sure breeding/conformation has a huge influence (as it would with any dog) and my guy's conformation, lineage wise, is excellent (Mom OFA Excellent, Dad Pen-hipped at top 10%). He's a big sturdy guy who plays ball, jumps & has no problems.

He is 4 years old & we're just starting out (had some issues to work out regarding other dogs, but we're good now.) He's 100 pounds - about 10 pounds over what a lean agility dog should be. We're on a diet.

Is there something I should do to prolong his agility life? Supplements? Exercises? We're learning to jump carefully (Susan Salo method) and handling (Greg Derrett) so we aren't rushing this. BUT, that comment at a trial yesterday threw me for a loop. So, I thought I'd ask the people who really know GSD's & agility.

Thanks for your help!

[Elaine]

Around here, the 20" dogs are by far the biggest class and I suspect that's because that's the class with all the border collies. There might be a bit fewer of the 24" dogs than in the smaller classes, but they aren't as popular due to size in the pet world. I don't see as many GSDs in agility because so many of them either physically can't jump or don't have the drive to do it. The few I do see are mostly workingline dogs and there aren't very many of them in this area.

[Jax's Mom]

I think it's the same difference as the one between a race horse and a draft horse. They're just bred for a different purpose so asking them to excel at something they're not entirely meant for might be being a little ambitious.

[doggiedad]

great comparison.

Originally Posted by Jax's Mom

I think it's the same difference as the one between a race horse and a draft horse.

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by doggiedad

great comparison.

I agree. They're not bred specifically for it.

[doggiedad]

if i were doing agility to win i would
get a Border Collie. i've seen Border Collies
do the weave poles so quickly that
it's a slight blur. there's alot of dogs that aren't
built for agility. they can compete but they're not fast enough.
if agility was done by weight class that would be different.

your dog has good hip scores but happens when you start
jumping him and weaving him. that would be my concern.
don't compete in something for you, compete in something
that has a less potentiality to hurt the dog.

[Emoore]

Treat him like a human athlete. Feed him the best quality food you can afford. Keep him lean. Make sure he gets plenty of rest and time to recover.

[AgileGSD]

Jora, my GSD was pretty fast. In fact, at one of the last CPE trials I ran her, she was 9 years old and her and a 10 year old BC were the two fastest dogs of any height in their level (Jora being just a second or so faster than the BC). This is her...

YouTube - Agility with Jora

YouTube - Agility with Jora

Jora isn't oversized though, she's 23" and about 62lbs. I agree that the reason you don't see heavy dogs competing as much is because they often aren't great jumpers. This isn't just giant breeds but also breed which tend to be shorter and stocky. The biggest issue with such dogs I have seen is that they often knock bars, some even when they are run in preferred, which is a jump height lower than what they measure at.

I feel the reason you don't see more GSDs excelling at agility isn't so much a size thing but a drive issue. A lot of the GSDs I have seen competing are just doing because their owner is asking them to, they seem to have no drive for it though and just trot around the course. Also some are just not built for it due to physical exaggerations that have been selected for. My male GSD was driven enough but jumping was awkward for him due to the length of his rear legs.

[shilorio]

its like seeing a mastiff in there, ive seen it, but you dont see it very offten my gsd has one compititions, but shes about the fourth of the size of a normal one, (48 pounds & 22' i think)

[doggiedad]

"treat him like a human athlete". is a lineman a distant runner,
is a sprinter a lineman, are hockey players figure skaters,
can a center in basketball play catcher in baseball,
can a point guard play center, can a Sumo wrestler
pole vault, can a Chihuahua weight pull, can Frankenstien
moon walk, can a straw weight fight heavy weight?

all of these people probably eat correctly, train and have
adequate recovery time.

Originally Posted by Emoore

Treat him like a human athlete. Feed him the best quality food you can afford. Keep him lean. Make sure he gets plenty of rest and time to recover.