The Best Dog Breeds for Agility Sports

Dog agility sports are a great way to engage with your dog, have fun and work on teamwork, mental stimulation, and physical exercise. But does a dog's breed affect his ability to participate in agility sports? Yes, it definitely does!

Some of the best breeds for agility are those that have been specifically bred to perform this type of activity. These breeds possess qualities that make them ideal for the sport. This feisty breed will keep you on your toes. It's a very intelligent and active dog that can learn to perform tasks quickly.

Breeds That Are Best Suited to Agility Sports 

Breeds that are genetically programmed for agility sports are typically medium-sized, with short coats, and slim build. They're also bred to be tenacious problem solvers. The following breeds are commonly used in agility sports:

Australian Shepherd - This breed was originally bred to herd sheep, but it's also agile and intelligent enough to participate in a variety of activities.

Border Collie - These dogs have been called "the ultimate workaholics." They need plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation or they'll become bored and even destructive. They excel at agility and herding trials.

Puli - This Hungarian breed has a coat made of cords, similar to dreadlocks. It's one of the best herding and running breeds and loves hiking and jumping over obstacles.

Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) -  This breed makes a good agility dog because it's fast and agile. It's also intelligent and easy to train, making it perfect for learning tricks that will impress the judges at an agility trial.

Siberian Husky - This working breed is extremely active and should be exercised daily. If you're looking for a highly energetic companion who loves outdoor activities, this is the breed for you.

Border Terrier - This small terrier with a short, hardy coat was originally bred to hunt foxes and vermin. It's one of the best competitors in agility trials because it has a lot of energy and responds well to training.

Jack Russell Terrier - This feisty breed needs a lot of physical and mental exercise or it will become restless and even destructive. It's great at agility sports because it has a short body, while the length of its legs makes up for its lack of height.

Golden Retriever - This breed is a family favorite because it's friendly, intelligent, and eager to please. It's one of the most popular breeds in the sport of agility, where it excels because it loves running and jumping.

Whippet - This breed was originally used for hunting. It's an all-around athlete that likes to run and is very fast, making it a great competitor in agility sports.

English Springer Spaniel - This breed is known for its gentle, loving nature and easy training. It's also great at agility sports because of its eagerness to please and athletic build.

Australian Kelpie - This breed was once known as the "Australian Working Dog," but it's now popular around the world. It's a talented herding dog that thrives when doing challenging activities like agility sports.

Japanese Spitz - This is one of the most delicate breeds on this list, but it can learn to perform tasks quickly and accurately.  It also has a lot of energy and loves to run.

Standard Poodle - This breed needs a lot of physical and mental exercise to keep it happy. It's also very intelligent, making it perfect for agility sports.

Papillon - These dogs are very small and graceful. They also have a lot of energy and love to jump, run, and play.

Pomeranian - This breed is alert, lively, and energetic. It does well in agility sports because it has a long body that's well-balanced by its short legs.

Schipperke - The Schipperke is a lively, active breed that performs best when it's learning new tasks.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi - The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a strong, sturdy breed that has lots of energy. It's happiest when it's working or competing in agility sports.

Rat Terrier - This scrappy little breed needs plenty of daily exercise. It's perfect for agility sports because it responds well to positive training.

German Shepherd - The German Shepherd is the most popular breed in America. It's extremely intelligent and responds well to training with a reward system.