Too Old for Agility?

I've got a 12 year old Cairn Terrier that I'd like to do agility
with, just for fun. He's pretty active for a 12 year old. He
just went on a backcountry backpacking trip, where he had
to hike about 4 miles a day, climbing rocks and jumping over
tree limbs ever so often. That was over about a 5 hour time
period though, so he had time to rest. At 12 he's finally
mellowed slightly, so that he might be able to focus on agility
without bouncing out of his skin in excitement. It's probably not
realistic for him to be competitive, but thought we'd get enough
fun and exercise out of it to make it worth our while.

For those that do agility, do you think the rigors of it would
be too much for a 12 year old?

Par...

Hey,
I dont think he is to old for agility,if its just for fun and he is a active dog then i think he will do good...
I just started my Border COllie in agility,if you would like some sites and pics on agility i have a few,fell free to e-mail me ..
[email protected]
Kayla:D

Hi Chewmonkey!

I would like some sites and pics, so I'll be emailing ya.

Thanks!
Par...

It all depends on the dog actually. If the dog is still able to run and jump and do the kind of things that need to be done in agility without any real danger to it, it should be okay to go for it. And 12 year old dogs can still compete they just end up in the veterens catagory which means that they get to jump 4" lower then what they are supposed to which means the dog can do agility for longer, but I might suggest you get in contact with a school and see what they suggest, otherwise it's up to you and your dog.

I don't think that he is too old. Terriors are the toughest breed from what I have observed. My parents 15 year old wired-haired terrior is just as active as when he was a pup, Jack Russell's are known to be wild child's up in the ages as well.

Hi Crikit!

Thanks for the advice. I've been doing some research on
the net of various agility clubs in the area and don't recall
any of them mentioning an oldtimers category. So that's
good to know. Although I'm not sure we'd ever actually be
able to compete. I can just visualize Murph off the leash,
amongst all the people and activity. He'd be the dog that'd
go sailing in the stands to meet and greet everybody. Course
he'd be entertaining for the crowd.:)

Par...

Hola lover of malteses!

Yeh for a 12 year old, Murph still has quite a bit of pep
in his step. Although one of my friends keeps reminding
me not to get it into my head that he could compete against
2 year old shelties. My lil' competitive side gets a going and
have to remind myself, it's just for fun. :)

Par...

Make sure to get his hips and things checked out by a vet. You always want there go ahead. We wouldn't want out little buddy to get hurt!

Hey there A&M... (hummm... maybe I should say Gig'em Aggie! lil' texas humor there, very lil' admittedly;))

Thanks, that's a good suggestion. And since one of Murph's
most fav-o-rite things to do is go to the vet, that'll be almost as
good as getting to go to agility.:)

Par...

agility is very good for aging dogs, as it gives them a chance to keep both their minds and their bodies active. You may, however, want to consider a glucosomine supplement, just in case. You have to be careful with those aging joints and glucosomine is a great supplement. Those little terriors are really active, but they can also be pretty stoeic when they hurt. Just start off slow and build him up to the height levels for his size. Also, make sure he gets a really nice warm-up before every class.

I started my aussie mix in agility when he was about 7 years old and he loved it more then anything in the world (aside from his family :) )

Good luck, have fun, and welcome to the site :)

hi there adoremydogs!

I had to look up glucosomine. I'd never heard of it.
Found some on the Petsmart website though, so I'm
gonna toodle over there this afternoon for it.

That's a real good point about terriers too. When
we go hiking, I have to keep a watch on him, because
he won't stop on his own. If he gets anything in his
pad, he'll keep trotting along, only with an added hop
step. So I can imagine he'd be the same about agility.


Par...