Agile Dogs 2026: These are the 13 breeds of nimble dog that excel at canine sports - including the loving Jack Russell Terrier 🐶

If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.

Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).

So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.

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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.

Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.

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 13 most agile breeds of dog.

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