Mercy is probably going to stay at 12"
This is a thing I've been thinking about, and it's a tough decision. I know she measures into 16", and while I'm not 100% on her height (USDAA judge got 15 1/4, but I don't know if that was accurate), I'm sure she's over 15. So that fits into my criteria of a dog who can jump 16. But she just didn't look that comfortable with it when we tried. Compared to how she looked at 12"
Now, granted, she has limited experience jumping, and currently isn't that great at it at all. (when we practice in the barn, she's usually great for the first few jumps, then starts knocking all the bars.) And some of that might be conditioning, I have a lot of guilt about this, but she really is not in good shape. Unlike my other dogs, she hasn't had a lot of opportunities to free play in an open area, and I haven't really been leash walking her much either. So she just gets to play in the house and yard with the other dogs. So maybe just some more exercise and practice jumping would make 16 possible for her.
But I recently put together a video of Tess at the various jump heights she's done. Tess is similar in height to Mercy. And looking at her jumping, on different surfaces, in both extension and collection, it's undeniable that the 12" height is more comfortable for her than even 16 ever was.
And she was young, fit, and sound at all the higher jump heights. She didn't move to 12 until she'd had the back injury that affects her rear function. Still looks better and more comfortable than she ever did jumping 16 or more.
Just not sure I want to ask that of Mercy.
Now, granted, she has limited experience jumping, and currently isn't that great at it at all. (when we practice in the barn, she's usually great for the first few jumps, then starts knocking all the bars.) And some of that might be conditioning, I have a lot of guilt about this, but she really is not in good shape. Unlike my other dogs, she hasn't had a lot of opportunities to free play in an open area, and I haven't really been leash walking her much either. So she just gets to play in the house and yard with the other dogs. So maybe just some more exercise and practice jumping would make 16 possible for her.
But I recently put together a video of Tess at the various jump heights she's done. Tess is similar in height to Mercy. And looking at her jumping, on different surfaces, in both extension and collection, it's undeniable that the 12" height is more comfortable for her than even 16 ever was.
Click to viewAnd she was young, fit, and sound at all the higher jump heights. She didn't move to 12 until she'd had the back injury that affects her rear function. Still looks better and more comfortable than she ever did jumping 16 or more.
Just not sure I want to ask that of Mercy.