In January 2006 the Kennel Club made some changes to many aspects of agility competitions. As of January 2007 there will be further additions. For an outline of these changes, please see below.

Dog height categories

Dogs are now classed as ‘small’ (less than 35cm at the withers), ‘medium’ (between 35 and 43cm) and ‘large’ (over 43cm). All dogs need to be officially ‘measured’ by a qualified measurer before they can start to compete.

Kennel Club Regulations require that a dog be measured twice, with the second measurement carried out between 12 and 24 months after the initial measurement.

To be measured a dog must be a minimum of 15 months of age and the handler must be in possession of a Kennel Club Agility Record Book confirming the dog’s registered name and number, with at least one form of identification which could be a clear photograph, microchip number or tattoo number.

Full details of the measuring process are included in the Agility Regulations booklet available from the Kennel Club, 1-5 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London, W1J 8AB, by telephoning 020 7518 1016 or on-line at www.the-kennel-club.org.uk

A list of measurers can be found on: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/1664/agmeasurers.pdf

Agility equipment changes

Rising Spread Jump

The maximum spread to be: Large Dogs – 55cm, Medium Dogs – 40cm, Small Dogs – 30cm

Hoop (Tyre)

Aperture centre from the ground to be: Large Dogs – 80cm, Medium Dogs – 55cm, Small Dogs – 49cm

Table

Height to be: Large Dogs – 60cm, Medium Dogs – 40cm, Small Dogs – 30cm

Long Jump

Large Dogs  - To comprise of 3 to 5 units the overall maximum length to be between 1.2m and 1.5m. The height of the rear unit to be 38cm.

Medium Dogs - To comprise of 3 to 4 units the overall maximum length to be between 70cm and 90cm. The height of the rear unit to be 30.5cm.

Small Dogs - To comprise of 2 to 3 units the overall maximum length to be between 40cm and 50cm.  The height of the rear unit to be 23cm.

Water Jump

A low hurdle or brush, with a maximum height of 609mm (2ft) may be placed in front of the water. Marker poles should be placed at all 4 corners

The overall maximum spread should be: Large Dogs - between 1.2m and 1.5m, Medium Dogs - between 70cm and 90cm, Small Dogs - between 40cm and 50cm

A low hurdle or brush, with a maximum height of: Large Dogs – 61cm, Medium Dogs – 36cm, Small Dogs – 23cm

Wishing Well

This obstacle will have a roof of which the bottom will not be less than 1.524m from the ground.  It will have a displaceable top bar the height of which will be between 55cm and 65cm. The minimum width should be 81cm.

“A” Ramp.

Two ramps 2.74m long by 914mm wide hinged at the apex 1.7m from the ground. The last 1.067m from the bottom of each ramp should be a different colour to indicate the area with which the dog should make contact.

Grading structure

The new grades are as follows:

Grade 1 (Elementary), Grade 2 (Starter), Grades 3 and 4 (Novice), Grade 5 (Intermediate) Grade 6 (Senior) and Grade 7 (Advanced).

New dogs, handlers or owners start off at grade 1 and progress through the levels by getting either 1 agility win with a clear round or 3 jumping wins with clear rounds in the previous grade. Grade 7 requires 4 wins with clear rounds (at least 2 agility wins) in grade 6. There is also the choice of progressing up through the levels (only to grade 5) by using points that can be built up as below. Upgrading to the next level with points is optional, however once you compete in a higher level, you cannot go back down again. Grades 1 and 2 are based on the wins of the owner, handler or dog whereas grades 3 to 7 only relate to the dog’s wins.