Agility is a sport in which a dog overcomes different obstacles on a planned path within a specific time. Dog agility demonstrations were first seen at Cruft’s Dog Show in London, England, in February 1978.

Based on horse show jumping, the sport requires passing smoothly through a course of jumps, tunnels, a tire, weave poles, and contact obstacles. In this sport the handler is given a set amount of time to direct their dog off-leash around a course.

The dog is required to have at least one paw touch the painted areas on the way up and down the contact obstacles. When performing the weave poles, the dog must enter to the right of the first pole and weave each one until they exit the last pole going to the left.

The American Kennel Club offers two types of agility classes: a standard and advanced class. Both classes offer increasing levels of difficulty to earn Novice, Open, Excellent and Master titles.

Posted by Barbara.