Sporty Pups: This is Dog Agility
The most well-known of canine sports, dog agility began in the late 1970’s and evolved into a global phenomenon.
Dashing through the weave poles, pausing on the teeter-totter, and leaping over jumps – both pedigreed purebreds and mixed-breed mutts competing against each other. This is the sport of dog agility.
Essentially, the object is for a dog-handler team to run an obstacle course in the fastest time.
The sport was first demonstrated at a dog show in England in 1978, and The Kennel Club of England recognized it as a sport in 1980, where it became hugely popular.
In the U.S. and Canada, it took a while to catch on. What’s now known as the Agility Association of Canada was formed in 1988 as the Canadian governing body, while a large handful of groups have jostled for supremacy in the States.
The National Club for Dog Agility was perhaps the earliest sanctioning organization, beginning around 1987 and merging with the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1994.
The United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) was founded in 1988, and became the premiere organization within the sport, holding the first televised competition in 1989.
For many years, the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) and North American Dog Agility Council (NASDAC) dual-sanctioned their events.
There is also the Teacup Dogs Agility Association (TDAA), which, as the name implies, is specifically for small breeds.
Similar to other sports at various levels, the exact specifics of each organization’s rules vary slightly, though the basic concept remains intact.
A rundown of common obstacles used:
Hurdles, which vary according to the dog’s height at the withers.
Tunnels, which are self-explanatory.
The weave poles, which are similar to a slalom skiing course, and which require a different style from big dogs as compared to smaller breeds.
Contact obstacles, which include the dogwalk, the A-frame and the teeter-totter, all of which have painted zones at the start and finish where at least one paw must touch.
Faults, in the form of time penalties, can be awarded for various infractions including overshooting or ignoring obstacles, running the course out of order, or training the dog in the ring.
Any breed may compete, but herding breeds – especially Australian Shepherds and Border Collies – excel at the highest levels.
Some of the highest-profile competitions are the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge and the AKC National Championships presented by Royal Canin.
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For more information on agility, visit one of the sanctioning websites we linked to.
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