Dog Agility

Guide Note

Dog agility is a sport in which a dog maneuvers through a pre-set course of obstacles as quickly and accurately as possible. While moving through the course, the dog is guided by its handler. Handlers are allowed to look at the course before the event, but the dogs are not.¹

Fast Facts

1. Judged on time and accuracy¹
2. Created by: John Varley and Peter Meanwell²
3. Created for the Cruft's Dog Show in London²
4. First presented at Cruft's Dog Show in 1978²
5. Any dog can do it³
6. Energetic dogs do well in this sport³
7. Four dog divisions based on height³
8. Handlers communicate directions though voice signal and body motions¹

The course is set up with obstacles, each having its own set of rules. A course may be made up of more than one type of any obstacle and in any order.¹

The tunnel is a long, plastic tube that is often curved. The dog must go in and out of the tunnel, coming in from one side and out the other side. If the dog enters and exits from the entrance, it gets a fault.¹

The chute is a barrel and light fabric that blocks the exit of the barrel from one side. The dog must enter the barrel and push through the fabric to exit. If the dog enters and exits from the barrel opening, it gets a fault.¹

The weave poles are poles that the dog must weave through. The dog must enter on the right side of the first pole. If the dog starts at a different pole or if it starts from the wrong side, it gets a fault.¹

The jump is a bar set at a certain height that the dog jumps over. Jump heights vary based on the height if the dog. If the dog does not clear the jump, it gets a fault. Donuts are also used for jumping.^{3 1 4}

Dog walks and a-frames are wooden planks that the dog must walk along or climb over. On both the dog must touch the yellow contact zone at the end before jumping off or it will get a fault.¹

The dog must climb on to see-saws or teeter-totters and must tip it the other way to the ground. The dog must touch the yellow contact area before getting off. If the dog gets off before the see-saw hits the ground or before the dog touches the yellow contact area, it gets a fault.^{1 4}

Pause table is a level platform in which the dog must sit or lay down and stay for five seconds. If the dog changes position or leaves the table before the time is up, it gets a fault.¹

Runs without faults that are under the minimum time requirement are called qualifying runs.¹