My Deo is almost 11 years old. He's a tiny wee thing. I got him from a crazy gypsy lady on TradeMe. She had his litter listed a a Catahoula cross Fox Terrier. His mum was a tiny wee fox terrier, and there were Black and Whites, Tri's , and merles in the litter.
Pretty quickly it was evident he was not a Catahoula cross.... he was tiny! Fully grown he's around 4.3kg. Whilst I'm still yet to do a DNA test, we think he's likely a Fox Terrier cross Chihuahua.
Deo has been my most successful agility dog. He's currently on a total of 87 Challenges, with the titles of Agility Champion and Jumpers Grand Champion X4. In New Zealand, this is quite an achievement. This is because we have a win based system, meaning you need to win classes to graduate up through the classes, and to gain a challenge you need to win, or come second with a clear round in a class with a minimum number of dogs (for a challenge to be available). Many dogs don't get up to the top classes, or a challenge in their career let alone 87.
Deo's first ever agility competition in Huntly
He started agility in May 2015, and within that year graduated up through the classes to the top grades (Jumpers A and Senior) by the end of the year, as well as being the NZ Champion in Jumpers C at the National event in October.
Here's one of the earlier videos I have of him, this is a Jumpers A course, which is the top level in Jumpers in New Zealand.
Here's the thing I realised this weekend. He's still doing agility, he's still doing well in agility, he's maintaining good speed and form. This weekend in the run's that he was clear in, he was only beaten by 2 and 3 year old dogs that are exceptionally speedy dogs. One of which weigh's approximately four times his weight. It's also pretty cool because the top level courses in New Zealand are typically tight in spacing, and very technical with many tight turns, backsides, pull through's etc.
And Jumpers A this weekend, at almost 11 years old:
In New Zealand, staying at a relatively competitive level to this age is pretty rare. I'm very thankful that not only is he still actively and competitively competing, but is doing so without a single injury in his competing life. He's had some sore muscles, he's had a few cuts and scrapes (from life activities), and a few dentals, but has never has a significant injury or orthopaedic issue.
I'm also especially proud because he is a poorly bred, and poorly structured cross breed. He's not a well bred sports specific dog.
So what do I attribute this longevity and soundness too?
We'll it's not his structure or his breeding! Here's the things that I've done, that I really think have made an impact for Deo.
Managing how much he is competing, and what he competes in. I don't enter events every weekend. From a relatively young age for Deo I stopped entering him in Intermediate runs (because what was the point?), and I retired him from agility runs not long after he was made up to Agility Champion, as I didn't think we were likely to make up to Grand Champion (contacts are not his jam). Contacts and weave poles are extremely tough obstacles on a dog's bodies. We also don't do training seminars frequently on weekends there are no agility shows.
Regular breaks over each year of competing. All my dog's have regular breaks of normally around 8 weeks where we don't do any agility training of competition.
Regular checks and treatments from trusted and well qualified professionals e.g. physio, hydrotherapy.
Managing how much training we do that's agility specific. I don't train my dogs a lot. Especially my older dogs. It get's to a point where I accept that I have what I have. Yes I might tidy up skills occasionally, or practice some new handling. But my young dogs might only get a couple of 10 minute sessions in a week, and my older dogs would be lucky to get a single 5-10 minute training session in a week (or month).
Maintaining his fitness through an appropriate and individually tailored exercise program. He loves his fitness, and has some excellent skills! Continuing to challenge his fitness has been fun. He also adores the treadmill, which is great for maintaining his cardiovascular fitness, as he's not trustworthy off a long line on farm walks!
Managing his recovery from events with bodywork, PEMF, and rest.
Could he have held up to more strenuous training schedules and competitions? Possibly? But who knows for sure. And the thing is.... he's a super wee agility dog, but he's an ass to live with. He's well and truly a terrier. If he was a sore, broken 11 year old terrier he would be an absolute nightmare!!
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