Canine Agility: Benefits, Tournaments and Everything You Need to Know

Agility is a canine sport where your dog needs to clear obstacles against the clock. It needs training to guide them and complete the trials according to the rules, especially if your goal is entering them in competitions.

Some breeds are better suited to this sport, but before starting, you'll need to know everything about the training required and the most famous competitions. Find out what we've put together for you at SoyUnPerro!

What Is Agility?

This canine sport appeared in 1970, when it was created by Peter Meanwell, a dog trainer; ten years later, the American Kennel Club recognised it as an activity for dogs.

Agility involves a course with different obstacles the dog needs to clear alongside their owner's commands, but with no physical intervention from the human touching them.

Dog and trainer need to be able to find a way to clear the obstacles precisely and quickly, since speed is valued. A panel of judges watches and assesses the manoeuvres used.

Benefits of Practising Agility for Dogs

The first and most important benefit is fun. You and your dog will enjoy hours of entertaining activities during training — it's an excellent way of spending time together and playing.

What's more, Agility brings these benefits for your dog:

• Intelligence: completing the courses involves finding the best way to clear the different trials — the dog relies on their owner's cues, but also practises their own decision-making ability and problem analysis.
• Exercise: dogs who need plenty of physical activity are ideal for Agility, since it includes jumps and running.
• Socialisation: it's advisable to join a dog club to practise Agility, so your dog will meet other people and pets.
• Training: learning and obeying commands is the very basis of this sport, so it's excellent training.

Dog Breeds for Practising Agility

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) is responsible for setting the guidelines for Agility competitions worldwide. Even so, it's also possible to attend competitions not backed by the organisation.

Regarding the categories set by the FCI, there are 3 classes for entering the competition:

• Small breeds: dogs under 35 centimetres at the withers.
• Medium breeds: dogs measuring between 35 and 42 centimetres at the withers.
• Large breeds: dogs measuring 43 centimetres at the withers or more.

Some breeds ideal for this sport are:

• Poodle
• Belgian Shepherd (any of its varieties)
• Border Collie
• Golden Retriever
• Labrador Retriever
• German Shepherd
• Boxer
• Collie
• Australian Shepherd

These are some of the breeds — only those recognised by the FCI can take part in official competitions. On the other hand, if you're interested in playing Agility with your dog as a hobby, mixed-breed dogs can also take part, since this sport suits any dog who enjoys physical activity and is in good health.

In every category, or as a hobby, dogs need to be over 18 months old to start Agility training.

How to Get Started in Agility?

By now you've seen Agility is good for dogs, but how do you start practising it with your furry friend?

First of all, it's advisable to join an Agility club in your country. With a simple internet search, you'll find one nearby, putting you in touch with specialists who can guide you through this sport.

The second step is having your dog undergo a medical assessment. This sport is demanding, and can cause injuries in dogs with certain conditions, such as elbow and hip dysplasia, arthritis and heart problems. Explain to the vet you want to start Agility so they can carry out the necessary assessments.

Perhaps you're interested in practising this sport with your dog, but have no intention of entering competitions. For this, you can buy an Agility kit for dogs and set up the course in your garden or at a park. These kits' contents can vary, but generally include a tunnel, pieces to build a jump podium, and poles.

Likewise, you need to teach the dog the commands needed to clear the obstacles as expected. If you join a club, they'll explain what's needed to complete the competition course; at home, the commands need to be adapted to what your kit includes, with instructions such as "jump", "weave" and "stay".

Common Agility Trials

The competition takes place on an Agility course for dogs, which needs to measure at least 20 x 40 metres; obstacles add up to between 15 and 22, with at least 7 hurdles per course; each of these obstacles is spaced between 4 (small breeds) and 7 metres (large breeds) apart.

There's a maximum course time, plus a standard course time. Ideally the dog and their owner would complete the course in under the standard time, as cleanly and neatly as possible.

Here are some of the common trials found:

Walls and Viaducts

At least a metre high, this can be a solid wall or one with one or two tunnels at the bottom. The goal is for the dog to jump over it.

Tyre Jump

This is another jumping obstacle. It involves a hoop set vertically for the dog to jump through.

Weave Poles

This involves poles set up so the dog needs to weave between them while completing the course, with 12 poles included.

Pipe Tunnel

With a diameter of 60 centimetres, this needs to be made of a flexible material. The goal is for the dog to go through the tunnel.

Collapsed Tunnel

Similar to the pipe tunnel, the collapsed one includes a cylindrical structure 60 centimetres in diameter and 90 centimetres deep; towards the end, the tunnel flattens out thanks to fabric measuring between 180 and 220 centimetres long.

Hurdle Jump

This is the most common obstacle on the courses. Made from different materials, the jump can involve clearing a single hurdle (single) or two in a row (spread).

Popular Agility Competitions

Agility is practised in plenty of countries, following the standard set by the FCI. Here are the most popular competitions:

Agility in Spain

There are three major competitions in this sport in Spain:

• RSCE National Agility Championship
• Spanish Agility Championship and Spanish Junior Championship, both from the RFEC
• Agility Clubs Union Cup (UCa)

Agility in Mexico

Mexico is also a country with Agility competitions, though it's not yet a widely spread sport. Because of this, the most notable competition is the Agility and Jumping Tournament from the Mexican Kennel Federation.

Agility in the United States

The United States has a strong tradition in Agility competitions and practice, so you can find the following competitions:

• AKC Agility Invitational
• AKC National Agility Championship
• AKC Junior Agility Competition

Likewise, the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) offers an annual, fairly complete calendar of different Agility competitions.

Agility in Argentina

In Argentine territory you can also find some Agility competitions:

• Southern Regional Championship
• Buenos Aires Regional Tournament
• National Ranking

These activities are organised by the Argentine Kennel Federation.