Agility is an entertaining sport that encourages coordination between owner and pet. It is a circuit with a series of obstacles that the dog must overcome in the indicated way, finally the judges will determine the winning dog according to his ability and the skill that he has shown during the competition.
If you have decided to start in Agility or are looking for information about it, it is important that you know the type of circuit it presents to familiarize yourself with the various obstacles you will find in it.
Next on our site we detail everything about the Agility circuit.
The tour
The Agility course must have a minimum area of 24 x 40 meters (the inner track is at least 20 x 40 meters). On this surface we can find two parallel routes that must be separated by at least 10 meters.
We are talking about routes with a length of between 100 and 200 meters, depending on the category and in it we find obstacles, which they can be arranged between 15 and 22 (7 will be hurdles).
The competition takes place in what is called T. R. S or standard course time set by the judges, although since it is a competition that not only values time, we will also have a T. M. R maximum time of tour in which we can adjust.
Next we will detail the types of obstacles and faults that subtract points.
Jump Hurdles
We found two types of jump hurdles to practice Agility:
The Simple Fences can be made up of wooden bars, panels, doors or brushes and the measurements are according to the category of the dog.
- L: 55cm. to 65 cm
- M: 35cm. to 45 cm
- S: 25 cm. to 35 cm
The width of all of them is between 1.20 m and 1.50 m.
On the other hand we find the Grouped Fences which consist of two simple fences placed together. They follow an increasing order between 15 and 25 cm.
- L: 55 and 65 cm
- M: 35 and 45 cm
- S: 25 and 35 cm
Neither of the two types of fences should protrude from the side post.
Photo: Simple fence
Wall
The wall or viaduct in Agility can have one or two tunnel entrances and they will form an inverted U. The tower of the wall must be at least 1 meter high while the height of the wall itself will depend on the category of the dog:
- L: 55cm to 65cm
- M: 35cm to 45cm
- S: 25 cm to 35 cm.
Table
The table must have a minimum area of 0.90 x 0.90 meters and a maximum of 1.20 x 1.20 meters. The height for the L category will be 60 centimeters and the M and S categories will share a height of 35 centimeters.
This is a non-slip obstacle that the dog must stay on for 5 seconds.
Runway
The walkway is a non-slip surface that the dog will have to walk in the Agility competition. Its minimum height is 1.20 m and the maximum is 1.30 meters.
The total route will be a minimum of 3.60 meters and a maximum of 3.80 meters.
Palisade
The palisade consists of two plates that form an A. It has a minimum width of 90 centimeters and its apex is at 1, 70 meters from the ground.
Slalom
The Slalom consists of 12 posts that the dog must avoid during the Agility circuit. These are rigid elements with a diameter of 3 to 5 centimeters and a height of at least 1 meter and separated every 60 centimeters.
Rigid Tunnel
The rigid tunnel is a somewhat flexible obstacle to allow the formation of one or more curves. Its diameter is 60 centimeters and it usually has a length of between 3 and 6 meters. The dog must circulate inside.
In the case of the canvas tunnel we are talking about an obstacle that must have a rigid entrance and an inner canvas route that in total stands at 90 centimeters in length.
The entrance of the canvas tunnel is fixed and the exit must be fixed with two pegs that allow the dog to exit the obstacle.
Wheel
The wheel is an obstacle that the dog must cross with a diameter between 45 and 60 centimeters and a height of 80 centimeters to the L category and 55 centimeters for the S and M.
Long jump
The long jump is made up of 2 or 5 elements depending on the category of the dog:
- L: Between 1.20 m and 1.50 m next to 4 or 5 elements.
- M: Between 70 and 90 centimeters next to 3 or 4 elements.
- S: Between 40 and 50 centimeters next to 2 elements.
The width of the obstacle will measure 1.20 meters and it is an element with ascending order, the first being 15 centimeters and the highest 28.
Pen alties
Next we will detail the types of pen alties that exist in Agility:
General: The objective of the Agility course is to correctly pass the set of obstacles that a dog must complete in the correct order, without faults and within the T. R. S.
- If we exceed the T. R. S, one point (1, 00) per second will be deducted.
- The handler cannot pass between the starting and/or finishing posts (5, 00).
- Can't touch dog or obstacle (5, 00).
- The knockdown of a piece (5, 00).
- Detention of the dog before an obstacle or in any section of the route (5, 00).
- Go over an obstacle (5, 00).
- Jump between frame and wheel (5, 00).
- Walking over the long jump (5, 00).
- Back if a tunnel has already started to enter (5, 00).
- Leave the table or ascend through point D (A, B and C allowed) before 5 seconds (5, 00).
- Jump off the seesaw halfway (5, 00).
The eliminations will be made by the judge using the whistle. If we are eliminated we must leave the Agility track immediately.
- Dog violent behavior.
- Disrespecting the judge.
- Exceed the T. R. M.
- Not respecting the order of the established obstacles.
- Forget an obstacle.
- Destroy an obstacle.
- Wear necklace.
- Set an example for the dog by performing an obstacle.
- Track Leave
- The dog that is no longer under the control of the handler.
- Start the tour early.
- Let the dog bite the handler.
Agility Course Score
After completing a round every dog and handler will receive a score depending on the number of pen alties:
- 0 to 5, 99: Excellent
- From 6 to 15, 99: Very good
- 16 to 25, 99: Good
- Over 26.00 points: Not Ranked
Any dog that receives three Excellent ratings from at least two different judges will receive the FCI Agility Certificate (as long as we participate in an official test).
How is each dog classified?
An average will be made that will add the pen alties for errors in the race and the time, making an average.
In the event of a tie, once the average has been made, the dog with the least number of pen alties on the course will win.
Finally, if there is still a tie, the winner will be the one who completed the route in less time.
Image: Example of scoring a 60-second T. R. S.
