What is agility?
Agility is full of action and a lot of fun to participate in with your dog. Your dog will be directed to run, jump, and weave in and out of a number of obstacles while being timed, showing off your skills as a handler and testing your dog's fitness as it makes its way round the course.
Why should you take part?
- Agility is great for keeping you and your dog fit
- It is a great way to make new friends
- Your dog does not have to be a pedigree – all dogs can do agility. However, always make sure they are on the breed register or you have signed up to the activity register
Competing in Young Kennel Club competitons
We offer lots of different agility competitions held throughout the year, with a final taking place at Crufts. Some of the classes at Crufts require you to have qualified, whereas others require members to gain points at standard Royal Kennel Club licensed shows. The main objective of our classes is to allow certain age ranges to compete against one another (6-11, 12-17 and 18-24), which helps to level the playing field as well as enable members to make friends their own age.
Agility obstacles
You can find out more about all the obstacles used in agility on the main Royal Kennel Club website.
How do I take part?
- Your dog must be registered with The Royal Kennel Club on the Breed Register or the Activity Register
- Make sure you read The Royal Kennel Club Agility Rules and Regulations along with Young Kennel Club Agility Rules
- Dogs can enter agility shows from 18 months of age
- Make sure you find out if your dog needs to be measured
- For safety’s sake, it is recommended that dogs do not start training on equipment until they are at least a year old
- There are seven grades of competition from one – seven, with beginners starting at grade one
- Make sure you purchase a Royal Kennel Club Agility Record Book so you can record all your competition wins and clear rounds!