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Agility is a sport for any size or shape
dogs (over 1
Find out more about competing in agility competitions here
Find out about the Kennel Club rule changes here
Buy 'Your First Agility Show' - a survival guide for competitions
Competing in agility competitions.
Agility involves dogs jumping, climbing up A-frames, running through tunnels and weaving in and out of poles. A competition course requires handlers to negotiate their dog round a series of 20 obstacles, off lead and without touching them or making any mistakes. Competitions can be big affairs and it can be daunting to the new competitor so here are some tips:
There are different levels that a dog and handler can compete in, these are due to change soon but they are currently: Elementary, Starters, Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. Dogs have to achieve a certain number of wins at each level before they can enter the next. The design of the courses gets more tricky as the level increases. There are also different categories for different sized dogs. 'Small' dogs (under 35 cm at the shoulders) jump 35 cm, 'medium' dogs (between 35 and 43 cm) jump 45 cm and 'large' dogs (over 43 cm) jump 65 cm.
Marking consists of 5 'faults' for each mistake. Mistakes include; knocking down a pole, running past an obstacle, running out of the ring, missing the coloured touch points known as 'contact points' on the contact equipment. One fault is also gained for each second you are over the course time limit. Rounds with no faults are known as 'clear rounds'.
To enter a show, you need to obtain a
schedule. These can be downloaded from sites such as www.agilitynet.com or you
can subscribe to magazines such as 'Agility Voice'. The schedule contains an
entry form, which needs to be filled in and sent off in advance. When you get to
your first show you need to find your 'ring' and when your class starts. For 15
minutes at the start of each class there is a chance to 'walk the course'. This
is a time where you can walk round the obstacles and practise running round it
so you know where to go. Although the obstacles are numbered this time is useful
to practise so you don’t forget where you're going when you're half way round!
When you get to the ring look for the 'caller', this person will take your name and number and will ask you to join the queue. While in the queue you can watch the other competitors but don’t forget your dog - play with them or calm them down - whatever you need to get your dog ready to concentrate. When it is your turn, go to the start line. Take off your dogs lead and any collars or harnesses and leave them at the start. Make sure you have no food or toys with you, these have to be left outside the ring. You may start when the person with the stopwatch or electronic timer says you can go. Don’t worry if you make mistakes, just carry on - remember, agility is supposed to be fun for both you and your dog!
When you come out of the ring remember to thank the judge, they have given up their spare time to be there. Also remember to thank your dog, even if your round did not go well, still play with your dog to let him know you still love him!
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'Agility'
competitions may contain any obstacle (jumps, long jumps, hoop jumps, weaving
poles, rigid tunnels, collapsible tunnels, tables, pause boxes, A-frames, see
saws, dog walks) whereas 'jumping' competitions cannot contain the 'contact'
equipment (A-frames, see saws, dog walks). 
To
find out more about competing in agility, including detailed information on the
different levels, classes, obstacles, marking, getting and filling in entry
forms, what to take to a show, forward preparation, and what to do on arrival,
in the ring and after your class, click