Dog Agility – A Boomer Sport

On any given weekend, thousands of humans and their dogs are competing in agility trials. Agility is the sport in which dogs jump over bars, run through tunnels, fly through tires, weave through rows of poles, etc. in response to commands shouted by their humans who are running along with them. Maybe you’ve seen this on ESPN or Animal Planet.



The colorful dogs include black and white Border Collies, red Aussies, Golden Retrievers. Except at the very highest echelons of competition, the humans are often female, slightly heavy, gray-haired Boomers. That is the part that surprises me and impresses me the most.

Dog agility is a hobby that isn’t necessarily limited by age or physical ability. Some dogs are trained to run most of a course while the human hardly moves. Most handlers do run around the course, but many do not even try to keep up with their dogs – they don’t have to. Handling the dog from a distance is a common aspect of training for agility. I’ve seen tall, short, young, old, thin and fat people and dogs do well in agility. Some people who never win a thing enjoy this sport simply because it is fun.

People with competitive, type A, micromanaging personalities can excel in dog agility. I know several lawyers who do this. Quiet, shy people can also do well in agility. Some of the most successful competitors are those who train a lot, bond with their dogs and make it fun for both the dog and the human. My wife has engaged in this sport for more than six years and she’d be the first to tell you she isn’t athletic. The wall of ribbons in our kitchen is proof that consistent training and a desire to win are key ingredients for success. And she and the dogs are having fun.

Many of the top agility dogs are Border Collies, in part because they are among the fastest and smartest dogs. But some of our friends have dogs not usually associated with this kind of sport: poodles, the Shih-Tzu, Britanny’s. I’ve seen Siberian Huskies and Great Danes compete. Even a St. Bernard once.

I have no snappy end or profound conclusion to this post, other than to say that one of our own Border Collies gives new meaning to the word fast. If my wife succeeds in getting a little more control on our loose K9 cannon, you might see the two of them on Animal Planet one day. Believe me when I say that if they ever make it to the Agility Nationals, I’ll let you know.