About Us
About Us
We’re the Patz family Iain, Olivia (Livvi) and Annie and we’ve been part of the agility world for the past 15 years.
We share our lives with a busy pack of 7 Border Collies, 1 Cross Breed, and a Working Cocker Spaniel, and dogs have always been at the heart of everything we do. We’ve been lifelong dog lovers, growing up with family pets, and we started our own dog family 15 years ago with Leo.
Since then, we’ve explored lots of different dog sports, but agility has always been our true passion.
Like many handlers, we began our journey in Grade 1, and over the years we’ve worked our way up through the grades to competing at the highest level including international competition with three of our dogs. Our dogs are our world, and every decision we make revolves around their happiness, wellbeing, and success. We always aim to give them the very best life
possible… and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Alongside training and competing, Iain also enjoys judging at agility shows, and together we run our own club, Bark Zone Agility, where we love helping others build confidence, skills, and a great partnership with their dogs.
Outside of agility, we’re (mostly!) quite normal. Iain is a keen sportsman who loves watching just about any sport. Livvi is a huge animal lover which is obvious when you meet the rest of the household too, including the chameleon and geckos she cares for!
Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for big goals, we’re proud to share our experience andpassion through Bark Zone Agility and we can’t wait to welcome you into our training
community.
About Us
Here is a little bit of info about our 6 dogs
Leo
Leo is 16 and now retired from agility but still enjoys pottering about and sleeping in his favourite spot.
Leo was our first dog as a couple, and for the first year of his life he used to go to the stables with Livvi, who used to drive teams of horses in the New Forest; he used to jump on and off the carriage when he got tired. We started doing agility with him at about 11 months. We were very lucky and found one of the best trainers in the UK and our obsession started from there! He started in Grade One and got us all the way to Championship level, then on to competing for GB internationally.
His claim to fame is winning an international class (the only one you don’t get a medal for), but he still did it!
Dappy
Dappy joined our family shortly after we started agility with Leo, when we realised this sport was going to become a huge part of our lives.
He went from Grade 1 all the way to Championship level, and along the way achieved so much including winning a Reserve Championship Ticket.
Sadly, we lost Dappy at 14.5 years old, and he is very much missed. He was truly one of a kind, and will always hold a special place in our hearts and in our agility journey.
Imp
Imp is currently 12 and a complete goof ball.
He is competing at Championship level, and has won a Championship Ticket as well as competed at Crufts.
He has also been selected for the IFCS GB team three years in a row, placing 7th overall at the last competition.
Streak
Streak is currently 9 years old, and she has been our most successful dog so far.
Streak has also won up to Championship level at one show, winning every class she entered. She also won the win on spot for the IFCS GB 500 height.
She is currently on two Championship Tickets, has competed at Crufts multiple times, and proudly represented Team GB last year.
Ferdinand
Ferdinand is currently 6 years old, and he is our rescue crossbreed.
Agility wasn’t for him, but he is an amazing part of our family and keeps us laughing every day.
He’s also become a brilliant nanny dog for any puppies that come into our home, and he’s the ultimate TV dog too. You might have even spotted him in the odd advert!
Heck
Heck is currently 6 years old and is nephew to Streak.
He reached Championship level and was always a bit crazy, but showed so much potential. Unfortunately, he suffered a cruciate ligament injury in his knee, so he is now enjoying an early retirement.
Oodles
Oodles is currently 4 years old and reached Grade 7 by just 3 years old.
She has been to Crufts every year she has competed so far, and continues to show huge potential for the future.
At home, she’s a complete crazy head who loves people far too much, but out on the agility field she’s surprisingly thoughtful and switched on.
Our aims for Oodles are to represent Team GB and to win Championship Tickets
Hokey
Hokey has just turned 3 years old and is one win away from Grade 7.
She is incredibly special to Livvi, a very cuddly character who is always by her side and truly Livvi’s shadow.
She has qualified for every Novice final there is, and has also competed at the London International Horse Show twice.
Our aims for Hokey are Grade 7, Championship Tickets, and to represent Team GB.
Bug
Bug is currently 17 months old and still very much in training.
She features heavily in our online training videos, and we’re so excited to see what the future holds for her.
Dobby
Dobby is currently 6 months old and is just starting his agility journey.
He belongs to our daughter Annie, and we’re so excited to watch them grow together and develop as a team