Editor's Note: Ella Du Pree is well known in the Boxer Obedience and Agility world -- inside and outside the U.S. borders. Here is a list of her Boxers and their titles: AGILITY
Tanner, Can OTCH U-CDX Foxwood's Crown Jewel
UD, OA, AD, VAD, OAC, NJC, NGC, CGC, TDITally, Ch Foxwood's Krystal Karosel
CDX, Can CD, AD, AAD, AX, OAC, NGC, NJC, CGC TDIIda, Ch U-CD Karosels Kystal Clear
CDX, OA, AD, OAC, NJC, OGC, CGC, TDILT, Ch Karosels Crown Classiuc
OA, AD, OAC, OGC, NJC, 1/3 AXScooter, Karosels Brass Ring
1/3 NA
AGILITY: A COMPETITIVE SPORT FOR DOGS AND HANDLERS Agility is a sport for dogs which is patterned after the equine stadium jumping. Started in 1978 as a demonstration between events at the world famous Crufts Dog Show in England, you can find agility in many places around the world. There is even a Virtual competition held every other month -- The International Agility Link, started by Cathy Slot and Steve Drinkwater from Australia. Each country has its own set of rules so Cathy and Steve faced a real challenge as they worked to come up with a generic set of rules.
by Ella Du PreeAgility came to the US when Kenneth Tasch of Texas started the United States Dog Agility Association(sm) in 1986. The following year, Charles Kramer began the National Club for Dog Agility ( NCDA) which has now been taken over by the United Kennel Club ( UKC) The North American Dog Agility Council ( NADAC) was started by Sharon Nelson and is an off-shoot of USDAA with more free-flowing courses and lowered jump heights. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recently jumped onto the band wagon and came up with yet another set of rules. Yes, it is tough keeping them all straight.
Any physically and mentally fit dog can participate -- from Chihuahua's to Great Danes -- including mixed breeds. It is a great exercise for both dog and handler. It instills confidence in the "chicken little", and gives the hyperactive dog a job. You may begin training as a young puppy, but safety is of prime importance. You do not want to tax the young bone structure. Serious training and weave poles should not start until the puppy is older. Know your breed and when the growth plates are known to close. If you are training your first agility star, I suggest you do so under the watchful eye of your instructor.
In Competition, the handler directs the dog around a course of obstacles set in various configurations. At the entry level, the courses are fairly simple. The purpose is to show the dog knows how to work the equipment in a reasonable amount of time. As one works his or her way up the ladder, the courses become more complex and will require split-second timing on the part of the dog and handler. It is a real working partnership. You may talk and/or signal to the dog, but may not carry food or toys on the course. AKC allows a plain buckle collar but the other flavors do not allow collars.
EQUIPMENT
The agility equipment is made up mostly of jumps. These include the single vertical type, double-bar spreads (oxers), triple bar spreads, long jumps, panels bars and even a bone-shaped panel usually held by dog-shaped standards. You'll also find a tire, see-saw, pipetunnel, closed tunnel, dog walk, A-frame, cross-over table, pause box, and weave poles. UKC also includes a sway bridge, swing plank, a platform jump, and crawl tunnel. On contact equipment there is a safety yellow area at the bases where the dog must place at least a foot in order to avoid faults.
Link to USDAA
Jump heights: 12" jumps for dogs 12" and under
18" for dogs 16" and under
24" for dogs 21" and under
30" for dogs over 21"
Titling classes
Starters and Novice classes are for dogs that have not obtained an Agility Dog title (sm) - AD. Handlers who have previously earned an AD must go in the Novice class. There will be 16 obstacles and the Standard Course Time (SCT) will be no less than 2.00 yards per second. You need three fault-free rounds in order to qualify.Advanced classes are for dogs having obtained an AD. There will be 17-20 obstacles and the SCT is no less than 2.5 yds/sec for the 24" and 30" dogs and no less than 2.4 yds/sec for 12" and 18" dogs. Refusals are counted on contact obstacles. Three clean rounds are needed for an Advanced Agility Dog title(sm) -- AAD.
At the Masters level there will be 17 - 20 obstacles and refusals count everywhere. Here the SCT is not less than 3 yds/sec for 24" and 30" dogs and not less than 2.5 yds/sec for the 12" and 18" dogs. A dog needs three clean runs in the standard classes plus one clear round in each game class (gamblers, jumpers, snookers, and either pair or team relay) to obtain a Masters agility Dog title(sm) -- MAD
Master level dogs can receive individual games titles as well -- if they have five clear rounds in each class. Jumpers Masters(sm), Gamblers Masters(sm), Snooker Masters(sm), Relay Masters(sm). A dog that obtains all of these titles becomes an Agility Dog Champion(sm) -- ADCH
Veteran Agility Dog(sm) -- VAD is three clear rounds at not less than 2 yds/sec for dogs seven years of age and over.
Link to NADAC
Jump heights: 12" for dogs 12" and under
16" for dogs 16" and under
20" for dogs 20" and under
24" for dogs over 20"
Veterans and Juniors jump 4" lower NADAC's certification structure is based upon classes (Regular agility, Jumpers and Gamblers), divisions (Standard, Veteran and Junior Handler) and levels ( Novice , Open and Elite) A dog could be at the Elite jumpers level while still in Novice Standard. A dog needs three qualifying rounds in each Standard class and two qualifying rounds at Jumpers and Gamblers for a title. Titles are NAC, OAC, and EAC for Standard classes. Gamblers titles are NGC, OGC and EGC. Jumpers titles are NJC, OJC and EJC. Verterans ( 7 + years) add a -V to their titles, while juniors add - JH to theirs. Of course you would like to have a clear round but in NADAC you may have up to 5 faults and still receive a "Q" This could be time faults or perhaps a knocked rail, but not both. In Standard classes the SCT is set at Novice = 2.25 yds/sec, Open = 2.75 yds/sec and Elite 3.25 yds/sec. A dog receiving an EAC, EJC, and EGC may now work towards their NADAC Agility trial Champion title (NATCH) One needs 200 points in Regular classes (10 pts for a clear round and 5 pts for a round of 5 faults or less) plus 100 pts in Gamblers and 100 points in Jumpers with 10 points given for clean runs only. Link to AKCJump heights: 8" for dogs 10" and under
12" for dogs 14" and under
16" for dogs 18" and under
24" for dogs over 22"
Novice Classes ( NA)There are 12/13 obstacles run at 2 yds/sec plus 5 seconds for the pause table. No weave poles
Open classes (OA)
15/127 obstacles including weave poles run at 2.25 yds/sec for 8" and 12" dogs, 2.35 yds/sec for 18" dogs, and 2.5.yds/sec for the 20" and 24" dogs, plus 5 seconds added for the pause table
Excellent Class (AX)
18/20 obstacles including weave poles run at 2.5 yds/sec for the 8" and 12", 2.75 yds/sec for the 16" and 3yds/sec for the 20" and 24" dogs plus 5 seconds for the table.
Masters Agility Dog Excellent ( MX)
One needs 10 qualifying rounds at the excellent level. Like obedience, it is scored on a point system. Everyone starts out with 100 points with an 85 needed to qualify. Going over SCT you receive 1 point deduction at Novice, 2 points at Open and 3 points deducted at the Excellent level for each second overtime. Refusals are counted at all levels. Rules too numerous to mention can be had by asking the AKC for it's Regulations for Agility Trials pamphlet.
UKS
The United Kennel Club took over NCDA a few years ago. Their scoring system is based on 200 points and you need 170 to pass. Three legs are needed at each level and you may work at the first two levels simultaneously, however, you need the AG I title before the AG II is awarded.
Jump Heights: Division I 8" for dogs up to and including 14" Division II 14" dogs over 14" up to and including 20" Division III 20 " for dogs over 20" Agility I classes consist of 13 obstacles in a straight forward course. Length is 120 - 175 yards with a course time of 60 - 98 seconds. (Division I and Giants add 10 seconds) Three attempts at each obstacle is allowed.
Agility II is more complicated: 16 obstacles with 120 - 200 yards and with course times between 74 - 125 Seconds. Two attempts per obstacle.
U-ACH Agility Trial Champion -- You have to accumulate 100 points with at least 40 points coming from the AGII class. A score of 200 = 10 points, 199 = 6 pts, 198= 4 pts, 197 = 2 pts and 196 - 1 pt. When you have the U-ACH you may then move to the Agility III class. 16 obstacles, 120 - 200 years long at 74 - 125 seconds. There are no repeat attempts allowed.
Agility Links:
Copyright
July, 1997 by Ella Du Pree & Boxer Mailing List (BML)
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