Champion of Gwynharwyf help

[MidgetMarine]

Hey GitP, I'm getting a character ready for an upcoming campaign.

He's an Anthropomorphic Bear (ECL adjustment of 3 instead of the normal 4 (Also large)) and Paladin/Barb/Champion of Gwynharwyf

(DM doesn't put alignment restrictions on standard classes (Except Paladin))

The plan is to buy off the LA as the time comes, but that's not the important part.

I really want to get the charging smite class feature in (Because it's so good.)
But I also need to get rage in to qualify for Champ.

My current plan is Anthro ECL 3/Paladin 5/Barb1/CoG10.

But I feel like that takes a little while to kick in, and I want to be able to rage powerfully.
Any suggestions?

[Fouredged Sword]

Rage is a great class feature becuse it need so little to be good. Just take 1 level of barbarian, trading fast movement for pounce. Then get the extra rage feat for an extra pair of rages, giving you 3/day. That is enough to rage once per encounter, except one.

Really, an extra +2 to strength and con during a rage is nice, but not worth sinking tons of levels into barbarian for.