Akita, Rottweiler, and Bullmastiff agility?

Question

Which one of those 3 dogs do you think have the best agility and stamina? I have never owned a Bullmastiff or Rottie so I really don't know what they're like. Seems as if the Akita would have the lowest agility but possibly highest stamina, but I don't know. The thought was just on my mind when I was watching some dog agility course on tv and just wanted to know what you all think. That's all.

Answer 1

I've owned an akita, and my brother has a rottweiler. I think they are pretty close, but I would put my money on the Akita being the most agile of the three, as they are slightly less heavy set. Depends on the breeding though. All of the bull mastiffs I've seen have been pretty solid & low-set, so I'd expect them to be the least agile of the three.

Answer 2

I'd think of it in terms of football players.

You want a running back for agility.

Bullmastiff - you're talking about a lineman.
Akita - more like an end
Rottweiler - Can be a running back, depends on the breeding.

At our club we have someone who runs an Irish Wolfhound. The dog is willing BUT . . . Too tall for the tunnel. Gets to the A-Frame and nearly knocks it down. Too big to make good turns after jumps, etc. Too big for the dogwalk.

Bullmastiff would have the same problems, but even more.

A smallish female Rott could be a great dog for this. (We had Rotts for 22 years).

Most Akitas are not the best obedience dogs (obedience is where your control on the course comes from). As was mentioned their angulation would be a problem. Most of the ones that I've seen are not the quickest dogs in the world. If you were going to go in that direction, a Husky would be a much better choice.

Answer 3

The only one of those breeds that I've seen doing agility is the Rottweiler, but I've seen a Newfie do agility, and the most wonderful huge Bernese Mountain Dog that would just float over the jumps. I run Basset Hounds and I know a lady that runs Bulldogs.

I think the only issue with Akitas is that they tend to have fairly straight angulation, which would keep them from being a graceful jumper. With any of these breeds, but particularly with the Bullmastiff, you'd want to wait until they were mature before doing any real jumping with them, to avoid damage to growing bones.

More important than the breed are issues like:

Structure (a dog of any breed must be well built to withstand the stress of jumping and weaving).

Build (even within a breed, some examples are stockier than others. If you're looking for an agility prospect you'd prefer the more lightly built one)

Conditioning (the dog must be in good shape and NOT OVERWEIGHT. You'd think this is obvious but you'd be amazed how many people I've seen trying to do agility with fat dogs).

Training (dogs need to be trained to jump properly, not hurl themselves over the jumps).

Answer 4

I've seen Great Danes, Huskys and Malamutes do agility. I've never seen any bulky (girth wise) dogs doing agility. So of the 3 you've mentioned, I think the Akita would fair pretty well.

My female doberman loves agility!

In the small group, the best I've seen is a miniature schnauzer, man he was a little rocket.

In the next group up... definately the Border Collie and Australian Shepherd.

Answer 5

I wouldn't expect to make the world team with any of the three. But there is a smallish bullmastif in my area that has an agility champianship and some resonably proficent rotties. I assume you don't HAVE the dog yet -if you want to do agility with any of those breeds look for a breeder with a line thats smaller and lighter in build than average.

Answer 6

I would say the Akita would be your best bet followed by the Rott, then the Bull mastiff- I think that would be hilarious towatch!

Answer 7

i couldnt find a site for bulmastiff
but i do recomend a border collie cuz they are born to fetch and jump and run so good luck with the new pup