What is dog agility?

You may have seen dog agility on the TV at Crufts and so what is it all about?

Dog agility is an exciting, fast-paced sport that builds teamwork, confidence, and trust between dogs and their handlers. In agility, a dog navigates an obstacle course under the guidance of their handler, tackling jumps, tunnels, weaves, A-frames, seesaws, and more.

The handler directs the dog using body language and verbal cues, making agility a true partnership between them that relies on communication rather than physical control. Suitable for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages, agility provides excellent physical exercise and mental stimulation.

Agility is an inclusive sport as people with disabilities can still take part, learning to handle their dog from a distance.

The most common types of courses are:

Steeplechase - jumps and tunnels only, making courses fast-paced
Jumping - jumps, tunnels, and weaves
Agility - jumps, tunnels, weaves, and contact equipment such as the A-frame or seesaw

Handlers who choose to compete with their dog, have to run courses set by judges as fast as possible without faults. If your dog makes certain errors such as knocking a pole down, you receive fault points. Other errors, such as taking an obstacle in the wrong order, will eliminate you from that course.

Want to know more?

Check out the Royal Kennel Club or Agility 4 All for more information about agility.

The journalist Tim Dowling has also published an amusing article about his first time competing with his dog.

Don't forget that we would also be delighted to have a chat with you about the sport and how you can get involved - use the link to our contact page below.