Agility

Agility has been a fun and meaningful way for us to work with our Bergamascos outside of the show ring. I have always believed that structure should have a purpose, and agility is one of the ways we can see how a dog uses its body, thinks through challenges, and works in partnership with its person.

Bergamascos are not usually the first breed people think of when they picture agility dogs, but that is part of what makes it so enjoyable. They are thoughtful, athletic, and often surprisingly quick when they understand the game. They may not always approach training like a Border Collie, and honestly that is part of the charm. They think. They process. They sometimes have opinions.

GCHB Alp Angel’s Martensa OA NAJ NF TKN

Martensa was our first Bergamasco to seriously train and compete in agility. We began with foundation work when she was still a puppy, including body awareness, confidence, and learning how to think through obstacles. That foundation became incredibly valuable as she matured.

Martensa loves agility more than anything else we do. She has trained and competed in both AKC and UKI, and she helped open the door for us into a sport that has become a really enjoyable part of life with our dogs.

Agility has also reinforced something I care about deeply in this breed. A Bergamasco should be sound, functional, and able to move with strength and coordination. Coat may be the first thing people notice, but it should never be the whole story.

Dog participating in agility training going through a purple agility hoop on a green turf surface.
A woman smiling next to a large, shaggy dog sitting on a table, with two rosette ribbons in front of them, one green and one blue, in an indoor setting with cream-colored walls.
A woman sitting next to a large Old English Sheepdog on a winners' podium at the Fieldhouse Agility Center, with two ribbons displayed in front, one green and one yellow.
Woman sitting next to a large, fluffy dog with multiple ribbons around its neck, celebrating a win at a dog competition.
A dog competing in an agility or obstacle course, ducking under a yellow pole on a green turf surface.
A woman in black clothing and pink athletic shoes is guiding a large, fluffy dog through an indoor agility course, jumping over blue and white hurdles on a green turf surface.
A fluffy dog with long fur jumping over an agility hurdle during a dog agility course.
A fluffy small dog participating in an agility obstacle course, jumping over a horizontal bar.
A woman running indoors with a shaggy brown dog on an inclined ramp for dog training.
A fluffy dog with long, shaggy fur is jumping over a series of agility hurdles on a grassy field.
A fluffy dog with gray and cream-colored fur wearing blue and green award ribbons around its neck, sitting on a black platform indoors.
Dog participating in agility training jumping over a hurdle.
A woman wearing a blue face mask holding a large, long-haired dog inside a spacious indoor facility with a high ceiling and green turf floor. In the background, there is a small tent, bags, and equipment.
A woman smiling with a large dog, both holding colorful award ribbons for dog agility competition.
A fluffy, gray dog with curly fur jumping over a blue and yellow agility hurdle on a grassy field.
A dog with Muppet-like shaggy fur sitting on a black table, wearing a blue ribbon with a gold emblem, and three award ribbons on the table in front of it, in front of a white wall with a sign that says 'FIELD'.
A fluffy, shaggy dog jumping over a blue and white agility hurdle on an indoor turf training ground.
Dog jumping over an agility hurdle with a blue and yellow bar in an indoor training facility with artificial turf, agility tunnels, and other obstacles.