Agility is designed to demonstrate a dog's willingness to work with its handler in a variety of situations. It is an athletic event that requires conditioning, concentration, training and teamwork. Dog and handlers negotiate an obstacle course racing against the clock. There several National Organizations supporting agility including (in alphabetical order): American Kennel Club (AKC), (NADAC), and United States (USDAA).
Agility began in England in 1978 and is one of the fastest growing dog sports in the United States and is the fastest growing event at the AKC. A trial is a competition. Clubs hold practice matches and then apply to be licensed to hold official trials. At a licensed trial, handlers and dogs can earn scores toward agility titles. Competition is split into classes offering increasing levels of difficulty to earn Novice, Open, Excellent and Master titles. The classes are divided by jump heights in order to make the competition equal between the different sizes of dogs.
Photo courtesy of Silver Gecko Photography & Design
Agility began in England in 1978 and is one of the fastest growing dog sports in the United States and is the fastest growing event at the AKC. A trial is a competition. Clubs hold practice matches and then apply to be licensed to hold official trials. At a licensed trial, handlers and dogs can earn scores toward agility titles. Competition is split into classes offering increasing levels of difficulty to earn Novice, Open, Excellent and Master titles. The classes are divided by jump heights in order to make the competition equal between the different sizes of dogs.
Photo courtesy of Silver Gecko Photography & Design
