Agility

Agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs an off-leash dog through a unique obstacle course in a predetermined sequence within the 'Standard Course Time' (SCT) . The rules are simple - handlers may give an unlimited number of commands or signals to their dogs, but may not touch either the equipment or the dog. Dogs are 'faulted' for actions such as taking down a jump bar, failing to put one or more feet in contact zone when on a piece of equipment, taking obstacles out of sequence, and running past or stopping before the next obstacle to be performed. Time penalties are also assessed against dogs that exceed the SCT. Dogs compete only against dogs of similar height at the withers within a number of jump height divisions. The dog with the lowest number of faults and the fastest time wins the class or height division.

Dog jumpingAgility trials are open to all dogs, both purebred and mixed breed (with the exception of those sanctioned by the AKC, which restricts trials to purebred dogs only) . The maximum attainable score in any class is 100 points. The qualifying score (for placement) is 85 or above, with no disqualifying faults such as displaced bars on jumps or missed contact zones. There are several obstacles in agility:

• A-frame
• Dog Walk
• See-Saw
• Pipe Tunnel
• Collapsed Tunnel Pause Table
• Weave Poles
• Tire or Hoop Jump
• Other Types of Jumps

The titles the dogs can earn are:

• AAC - Agility Association of Canada
• ADC - Agility Dog of Canada
• AADC - Advanced Agility Dog of Canada
• MADC - Master Agility Dog of Canada
• AKC - American Kennel Club
• NA - Novice Agility
• OA - Open Agility
• AX - Agility Excellent
• MX - Master Agility Excellent
• NAJ - Novice Jumpers With Weaves
• OAJ - Open Jumpers With Weaves
• AXJ - Excellent Jumpers With Weaves
• MXJ - Master Excellent Jumpers With Weaves

About The Breed
General Facts | Breed History | Raising Your Dog

Related Activities
Tracking | Obedience | Herding | Agility | Schutzhund

Articles
Temperament Test | Aggression