AKC Dog Agility Competition Rules and Guidelines

The American Kennel Club (AKC) Dog Agility Competition Rules and Guidelines are designed to ensure a fun and safe experience for both dogs and handlers.

The competition is open to dogs of all breeds and sizes, but they must be at least six months old and have a current AKC registration.

Each dog can participate in one jump height class per day, and handlers are not allowed to use treats or toys to lure their dogs through obstacles.

The course consists of a series of tunnels, jumps, weave poles, and contact obstacles, which must be completed in a specific order.

Suggestion: Dog Agility Competitions

Agility courses have between 14-20 obstacles, each designed to test a dog's speed, agility, and teamwork.

Jumps vary in height, with the height of the dog determining the height of each jump. Dogs are measured before the competition.

The Dog Walk obstacle requires a dog to run up a ramp, cross a horizontal plank, and then run down the other ramp, touching the "contact zone" at the bottom.

You might enjoy: Diy Dog Agility Ramp

Weave Poles are a challenging obstacle, consisting of six to 12 upright poles that a dog must weave through quickly, without missing a pole.

The Tire Jump requires a dog to jump through the opening of the tire, with the height of the jump based on the height of the dog.

Open Tunnels are often curved, making it difficult for dogs to see the exit from the entrance, but are considered a great place to start when training.

Seesaws are a unique obstacle, where a dog must run up one side and down the other, touching the "contact zone" with at least one toenail as they descend.

A-frames consist of two broad ramps hinged together, requiring a dog to quickly scale the structure, scramble over the apex, and touch the "contact zone" while descending.

Pause Tables slow down the team's forward momentum, requiring a dog to pause on the table for five consecutive seconds.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Agility Dog Jump Heights

To earn a qualifying score in dog agility, a dog must complete the course without receiving any non-qualifying deductions.

Time is a crucial factor in dog agility, as a dog must complete the course within the minimum defined standards.

A dog must also complete the course without accumulating too many faults, which can result in a non-qualifying score.

The AKC's Director of Agility, Carrie DeYoung, explains that a dog gets judged on each obstacle, with a focus on completing the course with the minimum defined standards for time, faults, and points.

Course rules and timing are crucial aspects of AKC dog agility. The jump height determines times in all classes.

In some classes, such as Time 2 Beat, FAST, and Premier, there is a set time in the regulations. This ensures consistency and fairness for all competitors.

Courses are measured by judges using a measuring wheel in Standard and Jumpers With Weaves classes. This method provides an accurate measurement of the course.

Here's a list of organizations that govern agility rules, which may also have specific timing and course rules:

Agility Rules and Regulations are crucial for dog owners and trainers to understand. The AKC Agility titling program, for instance, has a specific set of rules to recognize dogs that exhibit superior performance in the sport.

There are several organizations that govern agility rules, including the Agility Association of Canada (AAC), AKC Rules and Regulations, USDAA Rules and Regulations, NADAC Rules and Regulations, FCI Agility Regulations, IFCS Agility Regulations, ANKC Agility Trial Rules, and The Kennel Club (UK) Agility Regulations.

To obtain the Master Agility Champion Title (MACH), a dog must achieve a minimum of 750 Championship Points and 20 Double Qualifying scores. These scores are obtained in the Excellent B Classes.

Championship Points (CP's) are awarded for each full second under standard course time, with fractions rounded down. Double Qualifying scores are achieved by qualifying in both the Standard Agility Class and the Jumpers With Weaves Class on the same day.

Consider reading: Rules Applying to Dog Shows

Here's a breakdown of the requirements for Double Qualifying scores:

Dogs earn points from both the Standard Agility Class and/or the Jumpers With Weaves Agility Class, with placement multipliers applied. For example, dogs placing first in their class double their championship points.

The agility trial structure is designed to test a dog's speed, agility, and teamwork with its handler.

Courses typically consist of 10-20 obstacles, including tunnels, jumps, weave poles, and contact equipment.

Each course is unique, but they all follow a standard format that includes a start line, a weave pole section, and a finish line.

Handlers are required to complete the course in the fastest time possible, with penalties for errors and time added for faults.

Time is recorded to the hundredth of a second, and the dog with the lowest time wins.

Handlers can choose to run their dog in a variety of classes, including novice, open, and masters.

Here's an interesting read: Dog Agility Pole Weaving

To become a Master Agility Champion, a dog needs to achieve a minimum of 750 Championship Points. This requires earning points from the Standard Agility Class and/or the Jumpers With Weaves Agility Class.

Dogs earn points based on their placement in the class, with first place earning double the standard championship points. Second place earns 1.5 times the standard championship points.

Here's a breakdown of how points are awarded:

To double qualify, a dog must earn a score of 100 in both the Standard Agility Class and the Jumpers With Weaves Class on the same day. This earns a dog 1 Double Qualifying score, also known as a 2Q.