When Traci Kinard fostered three puppies nearly 12 years ago, she wasn’t intending to keep one. But there was just something special about “Lilo” PACH Lilo Kinard OA OAJ MXP3 MXPB MJP4 MJPB PAX. This All-American Dog didn’t start competing until she was 9 years old, proof that old dogs can do even more than learn new tricks. They can break boundaries and redefine what it means to be a canine athlete, too.
On the playing field, age really is just a number. “I think a lot of people are afraid to get into agility because of the age of their dog,” says Kinard. “I think as long as they get them completely checked out by the vet, I wouldn’t be afraid … I kick myself that I waited so long with [Lilo], but I’m certainly glad that we did it eventually.”
Lilo is getting ready to compete at the 2025 AKC National Agility Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the first time. This athlete is looking forward to more than the competition; she’s eager to reunite with her “agility family,” an ensemble of other canine competitors she’s bonded with over years of competing. She’s also looking forward to her favorite treat: cake!
Phyllis Ensley
Kinard, who currently resides in Anderson, South Carolina, fondly recalls how Lilo came into her life. She learned of a pregnant dog at a nearby rescue, and was eager to lend a helping hand with the newly weaned puppies.
“When we took the litter in as fosters, we had no intention of keeping any, but Lilo stole our hearts very quickly,” Kinard remembers. “She can be very loving and chill, but when she was younger, she also had that terrier-type attitude we love so much.”
After noting Lilo’s interest in watching their Irish Wolfhound compete in agility, Kinard’s husband suggested getting her involved, too. But it just wasn’t the right time; Kinard herself was new to the sport and didn’t feel confident running two dogs. Yet, things changed when Lilo was 9 years old, and after just one class, this nimble-footed dog was ready for her moment on the playing field.
“I never had to train her. The only thing I had to train her on was the weave poles. Everything else she just did,” Kinard says.
Phyllis Ensley
Standing just eight inches tall and weighing 10 pounds, Lilo doesn’t exactly blend in with the Border Collies and other traditionally agility-oriented breeds. Yet, her track record speaks for itself. In the three short years she’s been competing, she’s taken home numerous titles –– including the Preferred Agility Champion (PACH) title. Winning the PACH title is a special memory of Kinard’s for many reasons.
“I didn’t know if [Lilo] would ever get there because she is older and not the fastest one out there, but she did, and I was super proud of her,” Kinard recalls. “I just didn’t think we were going to get there, so when she got it, it was really emotional.”
What’s it like being in the moment with Lilo on the playing field? Kinard says, “We are in tune with each other. It can be a little bit of a cheerleading game with her, whereas [with] my Jack Russell, it’s definitely not. But Lilo, she just loves to connect with me. So as long as I’m staying in contact with her, it does flow. It flows really well. I just have to keep my connection with her through the whole course.”
Phyllis Ensley
Whereas some canine athletes benefit from intensive, hands-on training sessions, Lilo is an entirely different story. Her love of agility makes navigating the courses almost intuitive.
“She doesn’t do much distance — and that’s something I work on with my younger dog — but she just does it,” Kinard expands. “We usually go out once a week, just to kind of keep her from getting rusty and keep her in shape, but she does the treadmill most of the time.”
That’s right: a treadmill. Kinard’s Irish Wolfhound (who also competes in agility) stayed limber while running on a human treadmill. 10-pound Lilo has one that’s more suited to her size. “Everybody takes turns,” Kinard says.
If there’s one thing that Kinard wants inquiring minds to know, it’s that it’s never too late to get involved in agility and other dog sports. She says, “Everybody thinks they need to go out and get an agility dog, you know, one that is either bred for it — or a baby, so you can train them from scratch, and there are some benefits to that. But don’t be afraid to get into it just because your dog may be a little bit older.”
When Lilo’s not clearing obstacles, navigating weave poles, or racing through tunnels, she is a “loving and chill” homebody who loves spending time with her family. It’s one of the things Kinard loves the most about her.
Phyllis Ensley
“She just loves my husband. she loves her dad so much, and I love to see her when he gets home, and she lights up,” she says. “She’s everybody’s friend. She never seems to have a bad day or a bad moment.”
Speaking of friends, Kinard says that Lilo is looking forward to more than her first time at Nationals. She’s also eager to reunite her with her “agility family,” a group of dogs and their owners who also compete at agility competitions. Who’s part of the pack? A Belgian Malinois, Cane Corso, and a fellow All-American Dog.
“I just love agility so much. I love the camaraderie of everybody that’s around you [at agility competitions],” Kinard says. “Lilo knows the agility family dogs and is happy to see them as well.”
After this year’s National Agility Championship, Kinard intends to scale back Lilo’s competition and training regimen. But for now, this dog’s looking forward to the competition and the thrill of being in the spotlight.
“As long as she is happy and healthy doing it, we’re going to keep doing it,” Kinard says. “We hope we’ll make it to Nationals next year as well.”
The post All-American Dog Lilo Went From Foster Dog to AKC National Agility Competitor appeared first on American Kennel Club.
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On the playing field, age really is just a number. “I think a lot of people are afraid to get into agility because of the age of their dog,” says Kinard. “I think as long as they get them completely checked out by the vet, I wouldn’t be afraid … I kick myself that I waited so long with [Lilo], but I’m certainly glad that we did it eventually.”
Lilo is getting ready to compete at the 2025 AKC National Agility Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma for the first time. This athlete is looking forward to more than the competition; she’s eager to reunite with her “agility family,” an ensemble of other canine competitors she’s bonded with over years of competing. She’s also looking forward to her favorite treat: cake!
Phyllis Ensley
Lilo’s Journey from ‘Foster Failure’ to Agility Athlete
Kinard, who currently resides in Anderson, South Carolina, fondly recalls how Lilo came into her life. She learned of a pregnant dog at a nearby rescue, and was eager to lend a helping hand with the newly weaned puppies.
“When we took the litter in as fosters, we had no intention of keeping any, but Lilo stole our hearts very quickly,” Kinard remembers. “She can be very loving and chill, but when she was younger, she also had that terrier-type attitude we love so much.”
After noting Lilo’s interest in watching their Irish Wolfhound compete in agility, Kinard’s husband suggested getting her involved, too. But it just wasn’t the right time; Kinard herself was new to the sport and didn’t feel confident running two dogs. Yet, things changed when Lilo was 9 years old, and after just one class, this nimble-footed dog was ready for her moment on the playing field.
“I never had to train her. The only thing I had to train her on was the weave poles. Everything else she just did,” Kinard says.
Phyllis Ensley
Lilo Flows With Her Handler While Competing
Standing just eight inches tall and weighing 10 pounds, Lilo doesn’t exactly blend in with the Border Collies and other traditionally agility-oriented breeds. Yet, her track record speaks for itself. In the three short years she’s been competing, she’s taken home numerous titles –– including the Preferred Agility Champion (PACH) title. Winning the PACH title is a special memory of Kinard’s for many reasons.
“I didn’t know if [Lilo] would ever get there because she is older and not the fastest one out there, but she did, and I was super proud of her,” Kinard recalls. “I just didn’t think we were going to get there, so when she got it, it was really emotional.”
What’s it like being in the moment with Lilo on the playing field? Kinard says, “We are in tune with each other. It can be a little bit of a cheerleading game with her, whereas [with] my Jack Russell, it’s definitely not. But Lilo, she just loves to connect with me. So as long as I’m staying in contact with her, it does flow. It flows really well. I just have to keep my connection with her through the whole course.”
Phyllis Ensley
What Goes Into Training a Champion Agility Athlete?
Whereas some canine athletes benefit from intensive, hands-on training sessions, Lilo is an entirely different story. Her love of agility makes navigating the courses almost intuitive.
“She doesn’t do much distance — and that’s something I work on with my younger dog — but she just does it,” Kinard expands. “We usually go out once a week, just to kind of keep her from getting rusty and keep her in shape, but she does the treadmill most of the time.”
That’s right: a treadmill. Kinard’s Irish Wolfhound (who also competes in agility) stayed limber while running on a human treadmill. 10-pound Lilo has one that’s more suited to her size. “Everybody takes turns,” Kinard says.
If there’s one thing that Kinard wants inquiring minds to know, it’s that it’s never too late to get involved in agility and other dog sports. She says, “Everybody thinks they need to go out and get an agility dog, you know, one that is either bred for it — or a baby, so you can train them from scratch, and there are some benefits to that. But don’t be afraid to get into it just because your dog may be a little bit older.”
‘Her Favorite Place Is Her Dad’s Lap’
When Lilo’s not clearing obstacles, navigating weave poles, or racing through tunnels, she is a “loving and chill” homebody who loves spending time with her family. It’s one of the things Kinard loves the most about her.
Phyllis Ensley
“She just loves my husband. she loves her dad so much, and I love to see her when he gets home, and she lights up,” she says. “She’s everybody’s friend. She never seems to have a bad day or a bad moment.”
Speaking of friends, Kinard says that Lilo is looking forward to more than her first time at Nationals. She’s also eager to reunite her with her “agility family,” a group of dogs and their owners who also compete at agility competitions. Who’s part of the pack? A Belgian Malinois, Cane Corso, and a fellow All-American Dog.
“I just love agility so much. I love the camaraderie of everybody that’s around you [at agility competitions],” Kinard says. “Lilo knows the agility family dogs and is happy to see them as well.”
What Does the Future Hold for Lilo?
After this year’s National Agility Championship, Kinard intends to scale back Lilo’s competition and training regimen. But for now, this dog’s looking forward to the competition and the thrill of being in the spotlight.
“As long as she is happy and healthy doing it, we’re going to keep doing it,” Kinard says. “We hope we’ll make it to Nationals next year as well.”
The post All-American Dog Lilo Went From Foster Dog to AKC National Agility Competitor appeared first on American Kennel Club.
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