A huge number of us decided to welcome new puppies into our homes in the last two years – according to Kennel Club figures dog ownership soared and post-lockdown demand for four-legged friends remains high.
There are a whopping 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds, so there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest addition.
There’s even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren’s book ‘The Intelligence of Dogs’ ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
One thing to take into consideration is that some dogs are more agile than others – able to perform tricks, jumps and tasks others would balk at.
These breeds are the ones that often appear in the winners lists of dog agility competitions, where pups are challenged to complete complex obstacle courses.
Here are the 10 most agile breeds of dog.
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5. Shetland Sheepdog
One of the smaller herding dogs, the Shetland Sheepdog is lightning fast, smart and east to train. When it comes to energetic herding dogs it can be difficult to find enough activity to keep them happy and healthy - with agility training offering the perfect solution. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Australian Kelpie
The Australian's love of sport seems to extend to their canines. The Australian Kelpie is another dog from Down Under that excel at agility sports - being athletic and having a deep need to please their owner. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
They may not look particularly sporty, but Pembroke Welsh Corgis have won many of the world's most prestigious agility competitions. They are incredibly fast for pups with such a short stature and are utterly fearless in the face of obstacles. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Papillon
Often thought of as being simply a lap dog, the Papillon is a blur of fur on an obstacle course. These tiny cuties have a great memory for commands, with no hurdle too high for them to fly over. Photo: Canva/Getty Images