Agility

Agility is a fun event. See the rules for various levels below.

Doing agility

Your dog should have familiarity with the equipment prior to showing, but most of the elements can be mocked up at home. You should measure how tall your dog is at the shoulder. This determines the maximum jump height.

Standard Agility Classes – Descriptions / Requirements:

Elementary Standard
This is an entry-level class with a simple “M”, “S”, or “U” (horseshoe) course and consists of 10 to 12 obstacles.
The following obstacles are used:

  • A-frame (8-foot, apex at 4’5”; 9-foot, apex 5’0”) (required)
  • Pause Table (required)
  • Open Tunnel (1 to 3) (required)
  • 8’ or 12’ Dog Walk (at elevation of 24”) (required)
  • Wingless Bar Jumps (3 to 5) (required)
  • Broad Jump (required)

This class is not timed. There is no time limit provided the dog is willing and working. All dogs must be shown off leash. The use of an approved collar is mandatory.

Pre-Novice Standard
This is a timed event (Time recorded to 1/100th of a second). This course is slightly more challenging than a figure 8 and consists of 12 to 14 obstacles.
The following obstacles are used:

  • A-Frame (8-foot, apex at 4’1 1”; 9-foot, apex 5’6″) (required)
  • 8’ or 12’ Dog Walk (at elevation of 24”) (required)
  • Pause Table (required)
  • Open Tunnel (1 to 3 depending on availability) (required)
  • Tire Jump (required)
  • Broad Jump
  • Wingless Bar Jumps (4 to 6) or in place of bar jumps the following other jumps may be used:
    Wing Jumps, Panel Jump (required), Double Bar (required)

The standard course time is 75 seconds. Time penalties shall not be assessed but time will be used to break ties for Champion and Reserve Champion awards. All dogs must be shown off leash. The use of an approved collar is mandatory.

Novice Standard
This is a timed event (Time recorded to 1/100th of a second). This course is slightly more challenging than a figure 8, similar to the AKC Novice class with the addition of weave poles, and consists of 13 to 15 obstacles.
The following obstacles are used:

  • A-frame (8-foot, apex at 4’11”; 9-foot, apex at 5’6”) (required)
  • Pause Table (required)
  • 8’ or 12’ Dog Walk (full height) (required)
  • Open Tunnel (1 to 3) (required)
  • Tire Jump
  • Broad Jump
  • Double Bar Jump
  • Six Weave Poles (required)
  • See saw (required)
  • Wingless Bar Jump (2 to 8) or in place of bar jumps the following jumps may be used: Wing Jumps, Panel Jump

All dogs must be shown off leash. The handler may decide if the dog is shown with or without a collar.
The standard course time will be computed at 1.5 yards per second. A 1 point deduction shall be assessed for every 3 seconds over the
standard course time.

Jump Heights

Learn more about agility at AKC.org