New Agility grading structure for 2007

You may have seen Agility demonstrations on the television, at Crufts, or Discover Dogs, and wondered if you and your dog could take part in this exciting sport, where dogs and owners run around an obstacle course against the clock. Well the good news is that you can. Hundreds of clubs up and down the country can help you with Agility training, and there are hundreds of competitions for you to enter.

Agility Shows are fun competitions designed for the enjoyment of competitors, and to appeal to spectators. All sorts of dogs can take part. Your dog does not have to be a pedigree, or pure-bred dog, but it must be registered with the Kennel Club either on the Breed Register, or the Activity Register.

Size does not matter either, because there are Agility Shows for Large Dogs, measuring over 430mm (1ft 5ins) at the withers; Medium Dogs, measuring over 350mm (1ft 1.75ins) and measuring 430mm (1ft 5ins) or under at the withers (shoulder); and Small Dogs, measuring 350mm (1ft 1.75ins) or under at the withers.  All dogs competing in small or medium classes and large dogs which have not competed prior to 1 January 2006 must be measured by a pair of Kennel Club official measurers before they take part in their first Kennel Club licensed competition. To be measured the dog must be registered with the Kennel Club, identified by a clear photograph, microchip or ear tattoo and be over 15 months of age.  A second, and final, measurement must be carried out between 12 and 24 months after the first measurement. 

List of official agility measurers

Agility dog measuring dates

The dog’s height category will be recorded by the measurers in its Agility Record Book which must be purchased in advance from the Online Shop.

One important stipulation, however, is that dogs must be over 18 months of age and fit to take part, as it is such a physical sport and so much training is necessary before a dog can compete.

Types of Agility Show

Agility Matches are restricted to members of the show society only. Entry to Limited Agility Shows is restricted to members of the show society, or competitors from a certain area, or, limited to certain breeds, or, sizes of dog. Open Agility Tests, are just that, open to all who wish to take part. Finally Championship Agility can now be scheduled with a special Championship Class which is divided into three separate rounds. The winner and 2nd placed dogs being awarded an Agility Certificate and a Reserve Agility Certificate.

As has already been mentioned, there are 3 different size categories for competing dogs and clubs may schedule classes for one, some, or all of these sizes.

Classes

There are many different classes which can be scheduled at Agility Shows. There are Agility classes defined by the Kennel Club which become progressively more competitive as you become more successful and win out of each class; there are Jumping classes which are fairly self-explanatory and do not require the dogs to undertake the see-saw, dog walk or 'A' ramp obstacles; there are Special classes which are defined by the show management in the schedule. In such Special classes, either the definition for eligibility to compete is not per Kennel Club Regulations, the marking of the class differs from standard Kennel Club marking or the course design is non-standard. Classes such as these, with unusual names like Helter Skelter, Triathlon, Gamblers, Knock-Out and Pairs, will be clearly defined in the schedule so you know exactly what to expect when you enter the class.

Whatever classes you decide to go for, they will be at the following levels: Elementary, Starters, Novice, Intermediate, Seniors, Advanced or Open.

An Agility Show will have a series of obstacles laid out in a large ring. The Kennel Club allows a combination of 16 obstacles to be used on an Agility course. All measurements given for the following obstacles are for large dogs. The obstacles for medium and small dogs are naturally smaller.

Hurdles
These are a maximum of 650mm (2ft 1.6ins) in height and 1.219m (4ft) in width and competing dogs must leap over the hurdles without knocking them over. The top part of the hurdle must always be easily displaced so that the dog does not hurt himself if he does knock down the bar.

Rising spread jump
This is two hurdles positioned closely together, with the first hurdle set lower than the second.

Brush fence
This is another sort of hurdle, again with an easily displaced top unit.

Hoop (Tyre)
The dog must jump through the hoop or tyre suspended from a frame at a fixed height.

Table
The table is a minimum of 941mm (3ft) square and must be of stable construction with a non-slip surface. The dog must lie down on the table for a time set by the judge.

Long jump
The dog must jump a maximum length of 1.5m (4ft 11ins), clearing a series of low jumps.

Water jump
A low hurdle may be placed in front of a long jump of shallow water.

Wishing Well or Lych Gate
This hurdle must have a roof to it, and again a displaceable top bar should be used.

Collapsible Tunnel
This has a rigid round entrance with non-slip cloth forming the body of the tunnel which can be up to 13.048m (10ft) long. The dog must make his way through the tunnel.

Pipe Tunnel
A minimum of 609mm (2ft) wide and up to 3.048m (10ft) long.

Weaving poles
A series of between 5 and 12 poles set at least 451mm (1ft 6ins) apart that the dog has to weave in and out of.

Pause Box
An area 1.219m (4ft) by 1.219m (4ft) on the ground of the ring where the dog has to pause for a period specified by the judge.

‘A’ Ramp

An ‘A’ shaped ramp formed by 2 ramps with non-slip surfaces and anti-slip slats, that dogs must climb over. There are ‘contact points’ at the base of each ramp, coloured differently to the rest of the obstacle, that the dog's paws must come into contact with if penalty points are not to be incurred.

See-Saw
A pivoted plank, minimum length of 3.66mm (12ft), which the dog must negotiate. Again the dog must touch the coloured ‘contact points’.

Dog Walk
A plank approximately 1.372m (4ft 6ins) high, with firmly fixed ramps at either end which the dog must walk over, ensuring that paws touch ‘contact points’.

Cross Over
This obstacle resembles a raised, square table with ramps leading up to all 4 sides. The dog must go up and down the particular ramps indicated by the judge. Again contact points will be marked that the dog's paws must touch.

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