The current agility grading structure and class eligibility came into effect on 1 January 2007 following extensive consultation with agility competitors and societies. It represented a significant change to the previous structure and addressed several issues which competitors felt caused imbalances in the grade progression process. 

In place of the former named grades (elementary, starters, novice, intermediate, senior and advanced) the new structure has numbered grades (from 1 to 7), making it easier for newcomers to identify the order of the grades. Open (grades 1-7) and Championship classes remain unchanged.

Some of the more significant changes introduced in January 2007 were:

• Under the previous system, dogs were effectively eligible to be entered in two 'grades' at any one show; under the new system dogs are only eligible for one grade at a time
• The new system introduced the concept of 'Combined' classes - where dogs from more than one grade may compete against each other in the same class
• The new system also introduced the concept of 'Graded' classes - where dogs from more than one grade may compete in the same class, but separate awards are given for each grade taking part in the class
• Single grade classes continue as before
• Dogs from the former Novice grade, which had become numerically very large, were dispersed into three new grades (grade 3, grade 4 or grade 5) depending on their circumstances and recent performance
• The system of moving from one grade to the next by winning a class was adjusted; as before, dogs winning an agility class must move up into the next grade. However three wins in jumping classes are required before the dog changes grade
• The mandatory 'win' system for moving from one grade to the next has been complemented by an optional 'points' system, where owners can choose to move their dog into the next grade, up to grade 5, once it has gained sufficient points in its current grade (using the same points system as used for the Agility Warrant)

Owners of dogs which last competed in agility in the UK before 1 January 2007 who now wish to re-join agility will need to review the information below to work out the new grade at which they should be competing. The Agility Grading Structure diagrams explain exactly how the changes work for owners and their dogs.  The Questions and Answers below also help to explain how the changes work for agility competitors in particular circumstances.

Agility grading structure from 1 January 2007 and transition from the former grading structure

Both the diagrams and the Questions and Answers should be read in conjunction with the new Agility Regulations.

The Kennel Club agility specialist team (Joanna Nosalik, John Leslie or Debbie Deuchar) are available to respond to any queries, or to talk through the changes.  They can be contacted by telephone on 020 7518 1013 or by email:-

• Joanna Nosalik 
• John Leslie
• Debbie Deuchar 

New Agility Grading Structure For 2007 - Questions And Answers

Q4.      If my dog came 4^th in Novice Agility in 2003 and is now 8 years old and not fast enough to get placed, does he still have to go in Grade 5?

A4.      No.  If your dog achieved its last top 10 places in Novice, or above, prior to 2006, you can choose whether to be in the grade you are eligible for, or one below this.  Once you have selected the Grade in which you will compete, you cannot change the dog’s level unless you win out.

Q5.      If my dog is eligible for Starters, but has gained a place in Novice, which grade does she go in next year?

A5.      If your dog is eligible to enter Starters classes in December 2006 then she will be Grade 2 (Starters) in 2007. 

Q6.      If my dog has gained 3 (or more) jumping wins, or 1 agility win, in Novice does this mean she will automatically be Senior next year? 

A6.      No.  She will be Grade 5 (Intermediate) because she has gained a top five place in Novice.  The only dogs that will be eligible for Senior (Grade 6) are dogs that are qualified in to Senior during 2006 or before.

Q7.      How will my dog ever have more than 2 runs if it is only eligible to compete in one grade?

A7.      You are currently reliant on societies scheduling classes for you to enter and the same will apply next year.  It is up to each individual society to decide which classes they want to schedule.  You may actually end up with more choices by having classes open to various grades and they may be either Combined or Graded classes.

Q8.      What is the difference between a Graded class and a Combined class?

A8.      A Graded class may be open to one, or more, consecutive Grades with separate results for each Grade.  A combined class is open to more than one Grade and there is only one set of results for the whole class.

Q9.      I am a Show Secretary - if I have a large entry in a Graded class how can I split this?

A9.      A Graded class can be split by Grade only.  If, for example, you have a single class for Grades 1, 2 and 3 and have 100, 150 and 350 entries respectively, you can split this in several ways to suit you and your ring plans; you can have each Grade in a separate ring (and split Grade 3 into 2 parts if required); or, you can have Grades 1 and 2 run together and Grade 3 separately; or, you can split Grade 3 into two parts and run Grades 1 and 2 together in the same ring.  The choice is yours to make.

Q10.    What about if this was a Combined class - how would I split it then?

A10.    A Combined class must be split randomly, as classes are split at present.

Q11.    If I am eligible for Grade 2, but win a Combined agility class with Grade 4 dogs competing, does this mean it is equivalent to having won a Grade 4 class?

A11.    No.  When you gain an agility win, or three jumping wins, these progress you from your existing Grade only - you cannot skip Grades.

Q12.    Does the course have to be set at the standard for the lowest eligible Grade of dog?

A12.    The course design, and suitability, is entirely up to the judge who will take into consideration all the eligibility levels of dogs.  This is, of course, exactly what happens at present.

Q13.    My Novice dog has won three Intermediate jumping classes, which at present count towards being Advanced, will these be lost in 2007?  Will I have to get 4 more wins?

A13.    No - we thought this would be unfair.  Wins gained in Intermediate, Senior and Open classes count towards Grade 7 (Advanced) eligibility and can be carried forward.  You will still require 2 further agility wins at Grade 6 to become advanced.

Q14.    I am a show secretary - for a Graded class how will I know what Grade a dog is and how will I sort out the results?

A14. The entry form will need to be amended to include a box asking for each dog’s Grade. The specimen schedule and entry form will be amended and sent to all agility societies by the Kennel Club soon. In respect of sorting the entries out, all dogs of each Grade should have consecutive running orders. It is recommended that when processing the entries the class is split into a, b, c etc with running orders, pads and score sheets being prepared for each section (Grade) of the class. The class should run through without stopping for each grade and the results compiled after the whole class has closed. It is not permissible to close each grade whilst the class is still running.

Q15.    I won out of starters 2 years ago but handle other people’s dogs that don’t do agility.  At the moment I can compete with them in Novice as the dog has not won anything.  What class can I do with them next year?

A15.    As the dog and owner have not won anything the dog is eligible for Grade 1, you as the handler are eligible for Grade 3 and you can therefore compete with the dog in a combined grade 1 – 3 class only.

Q16.    As a Grade 3 handler, what would happen if I handled a Grade 1 dog in a Combined Grade 1 – 3 class and it won?  What grade would it now be in?

A16.    If you won a combined class the dog would win out of its current grade, in this case from Grade 1 to Grade 2.  This would be no different from a handler competing in a Novice class, under the current system, with an Elementary dog and gaining a 2^nd or 3^rd place in Novice thereby winning it out of Elementary.

Q17.    I currently compete in Senior, but my son has started competing and has his own dog with which he competes.  However, sometimes I take the dog to a show - what class can I do?  Does the dog now have to be put in my name so I can compete with it?

A17.    No the dog can continue to be in your son’s name, you can compete with it in a combined class for grades 1 – 3.  Your son could compete with it in a grade 1 class at the same show if you wanted to.  This is the same as a dog currently competing in Elementary with your son and Novice with you.

Q18.    I am preparing my show schedule and have a combination of grades and combined classes, how should these be displayed on the schedule?

A18.    This is up to each individual Society, but an example is listed below:

            Class 1           Large Agility Grades 1, 2, 3 (Combined)

            Class 2           Large Agility Grades 3, 4, 5 (Graded)

            Class 3           Large Agility Grades 5, 6, 7 (Combined)  

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