Background by: Graphics by: & by: |
Performance Dog? |
This, the last chart I have made, is intended to fairly represent how each AKC breed achieves in the all-breed performance events: obedience, tracking, agility. The reason that I chose to represent only AKC breeds, and AKC events, is that I had easy access to the registration numbers for those breeds, and the performance statistics by breed. This allowed me to figure with reasonable accuracy the number of titles earned compared to the number of dogs registered. For this chart, I also put in the total number of performance (agility, obedience, and tracking) titles earned in the year 2000, as well as the number of dogs of each breed registered in that year. Thus it can easily be seen how the Belgian Tervuren, for example, with 446 dogs registered, and 586 titles earned, achieved 131.4% titles, compared to dogs registered. |
Unlike my other charts, I chose not to divide this chart up by group. I listed all the breeds together, in order of their accomplishments. Once more, I did figure the percentage for each group overall, and I fit those numbers into the chart as well. For easy reference, I numbered the breeds from top to bottom. For example, since there are 146 breeds represented in the chart, we can figure that breeds that are numbered between 60 and 85 are roughly average in their accomplishments. |
Of course, the rare breeds (I would classify that as under 100 registered in the year) may have their statistics easily skewed, but it would not have been fair to leave them out, so I didn't. Some of the breeds may have their percentage a bit inflated by ILP dogs. To anyone who looks at these, I would remind you that these variables and others may affect the statistics, so keep that in mind when looking at the chart. |
Finally, two important reminders. One is that it is impossible by these numbers to say which dogs are more ABLE. The higher numbers achieved by some breeds are as likely to be because the breed is more often selected by people who wish to compete in performance events. Even more important, and I thought it went without saying, but I'll say it now anyhow: the breeds that DO achieve exceptionally highly are very likely to be the wrong breed for most people. The highest achievers tend to be very high drive dogs, which are challenging to own. It takes two to make a great performance dog. It isn't enough to go out and buy a high-drive dog from great performance lines: the handler must also be ready to match that drive. So, without further ado, here's the chart. Click the back button on your browser to return. |
If you want to see my obedience and agility charts, they are here: |
Background by: Graphics by: & by: |
