Agility is a
comparatively 
new dog sport, having been formally recognised in New Zealand for
around fifteen years. Agility is based on the equestrian sport of show jumping,
but as well as jumps there are also ramps of various heights and widths, tunnels
of different types and shapes and the slalom-style weave poles. Dogs of all
sizes are catered for by adjusting the height of the jumps – any dog from a chihuahua to a great dane can compete.
Just like show
jumping, dogs are required to accurately negotiate a series of eighteen to
twenty obstacles in the correct order. There are four levels of competition and
with each level the course becomes more challenging and complex. Certain
mistakes, such as knocked jumps, result in penalty faults and other mistakes,
particularly doing obstacles in the wrong order, result in disqualification. The
winner is the dog with the least faults and the fastest time. Success in
agility, therefore, requires considerable accuracy combined with considerable
speed.
Dogs can work
towards national Agility titles. At the intermediate level dogs may qualify for
the title of Agility Dog Excellent.
At a higher level they may qualify for
Agility Dog Excellent Advanced in Bronze, Silver, or Gold. The top levels offer
the opportunity to become an Agility Champion, or Agility Grand Champion, a
title that only a handful of dogs have achieved in New Zealand.
Fast and furious, agility is great fun for both dogs and handlers, whether they successfully negotiate the course or not. Be warned though, - a sense of humour is essential equipment!
To be an Agility Champion you have to have won six Agility Challenge
Certificates (which is first or second with a clear round in the senior
class), at least one
of which is a first place and obtained at least ten
clear round certificates in senior classes and qualified ADX.
Our first Agility Champion was Hannah, a Lab cross owned and handled by
Darrell Thomson
Others that followed were:
Kayla Hungarian Vizsla Stu Parker Jess Broder Collie X Karen Grant Meja GSP David Cook Q Husky/BC X Glen Todd Macey Border Collie Elaine Pearce Jax Border Collietd> David Cook Brock Border Collie Elaine Pearce Fizz Husky/BC X Glen Todd Kay-J Border Collie Anne Bevin Pete Border Collie Anne Bevin Jess Collie X Lisa Cross
Four of these dogs have gained the elusive qualification of Grand Agility
Champion, namely David's Meja and Jax and Anne's Kay J and Pete.
Grand agility champion is a dog who has won 20 agility Challenge
Certificates (first or second in the senior class), at least ten of which
are for first place, and qualified ADXA Gold.