Agility is one of the fastest growing dog sports in the United States. It is as popular with spectators as it is with the participants. The birth of agility began in England, mirroring horse show jumping. The first demonstration of agility was in 1978, at the Crufts dog show, in the UK.
It is a fast paced sport that has dogs racing against the clock over an obstacle course that includes ramps, zigzag weave poles, jumps, and tunnels. Every course is different, so the dogs and their owners must have excellent communication skills as they move from one obstacle to the next. Agility demonstrates the dog’s willingness to work for its handler in a variety of situations.
You can participate in an agility trial for fun and exercise at the local level or if more competitive, you can work towards competing at the AKC National Agility Competition held each year. The AKC also has a World Agility team that competes internationally.
At CANINE ACADEMY, you can start enjoying agility with your dog. Even though our classes are geared for fun and exercise, our beginner and intermediate classes will introduce your dog to all obstacles involved in competition, if you wish to go on. It can be a great way to build up your dog’s confidence and to give him the exercise he needs. However, the best part is, it’s just plain FUN!