What is Dog Agility?

A dog sport with competitive opportunities, Dog Agility is basically an activity in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course. It first appeared in Britain during the 1970s, where it was created as a demonstration dog sport and performed before an audience for the first time in 1978 at the Crufts dog show in Birmingham.

Today, Dog Agility is popular worldwide with trainers and events available in many communities. Competitions usually require dogs to run off leash through a course of about 15 obstacles like tunnels, jumps, weave poles, and ramps, in a predetermined pattern. No food or treats allowed; handlers can only give verbal commands. Competitors are scored on both time and accuracy.

Directed by their owner or handler, agility dogs are trained to jump over obstacles, travel through tunnels, and navigate walkways. Teamwork is critical and the sport provides exercise and mental stimulation for both dog and handler.

Suitable for adult dogs of almost any breed, Dog Agility can be practiced at home with training equipment sets. The intensity and difficulty of agility course can be altered to accommodate limitations or special needs.

Competitions can be location in the United States through the American Kennel Club , in Canada through the Canadian Kennel Club, and in Britain through UK Agility.