New Zealand AGILITY - An Explanation:
Pippi and I started our Agility training together back in 2003 at the Wanganui Dog Training Club. We went to our first Ribbon Trial (competition) in Feilding the following year (May, 2004), when Pippi was 21 mths old, where we managed to come second in Elementary B. I was “over the moon” and well and truly hooked.
One thing that still sticks in my mind from back then was how overwhelming and confusing everything was trying to come to terms with the “ins and outs” of agility. And since I have started training the agility competitors at the Wanganui Dog Training Club (WDTC), I am constantly reminded about the frustrations our new competitors face when they try to get their heads around all the rules and regulations. Therefore I will try to explain and inform, not only our Vallhund owners out there who would like to give agility a go, but also anybody else who would just like some background knowledge so as to better understand some of the terminology used on these agility pages. All agility competitions throughout NZ are organised and run by registered “Dog Training Clubs” (over 40 in all run by volunteers), under the auspices of the New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC). There are also a few very good private agility training schools dotted around NZ, but to be able to take part in agility competitions you must belong to one of the NZKC registered clubs. If you want to compete at the championship level you also have to be member of the New Zealand Kennel . |
*Heights – In July, 2010, new height classes came into effect. This meant that all competing agility dogs had to be measured so as to place them in the right height class. There are four height classes - Micro, Mini, Midi and Maxi. Measuring of the dog is carried out at agility shows by an official measurer. New dogs are measured for the first time at the age of 18 months and then again at 2 years when they are fully grown. The measurements are registered in the NZKC database.
The measurement is taken from the ground to the top of the shoulder (the highest point). *Micro – up to 325mm *Mini – from 325 to 430 mm. *Midi – from 430 to 520 mm. *Maxi – from 520 mm. plus. *Permanent number – All dogs competing in “Agility Championship Events” must apply to the NZ Agility Committee for a permanent number. The number given to each individual dog will correspond directly to its height class. The number given will be accompanied by a letter. The letter stands for the year the dog was born in (A = 2000, B = 2001 and C = 2002 etc). This permanent number must be used on all agility entry forms. It is an ID of who the dog/handler “team” is. |
There are two main streams of agility in NZ - standard Agility and Jumpers.
Within standard agility, two competitions exist (Ribbon Trials and Championships). Both events can be run by dog training clubs during the year. *Ribbon Trails - are the more informal events of thetwo. They are most often smaller, one day events and they are great places for new handlers and their dogs to start competing. Ribbon Trails will nearly always include two additional courses - Elementary B and A. These are specially designed with new handlers and dogs in mind. At this level it is not necessary to belong to the NZKC (New Zealand Kennel Club), to be able to compete. Entries are taken on the day and there will most often be ribbons to the first five or ten top placings. *Championship Events – are more “formal” events and all competitors must belong to NZKC. These events are advertised in the monthly “NZ Dog World” magazine and your entry must be pre-entered on official agility forms, before the advertised closing dates. Championship events are normally run as one or two day events. They can be either single, double, triple or quad events. They may also include Elementary B & A, Jumpers, AD, ADX, special and team events. Most clubs will have ribbons for approximately 10% of the entry numbers, with prizes to 5% of entry numbers. Some clubs will from time to time, put on special “Top Dog Awards” for the overall top dog from each level over the weekend. *Standard Agility courses – There are four standard courses run in all agility competitions. They are Starters, Novice, Intermediate and Senior. All dog/handler teams can only compete in two of these courses at any given time. There are three levels of competition in NZ agility - Starters/Novice (everybody starts here), Novice/Intermediate and finally Intermediate/Senior (the top level). For every clear run a dog/handler team achieve within the set course time (the time set by the judge), a clear round certificate is issued. It will have all the relevant information such as the date, club name, dog’s name and NZKC number, owner’s name, placing, course length, course time, dog’s time, and be signed by the judge. NB. These should be kept in a safe place as they will one day entitle your dog to claim it’s titles and certificates. Standard Courses: *Starters courses – can have between 15 to 20 obstacles in them. They will have a number of jumps, collapsed and flexi tunnels, long jump, tyre and a full set of weaves (12 poles). *Novice courses – can have between 15 to 20 obstacles in it. They will have a number of jumps, collapsed and flexi tunnels, long jump, brush jump, tyre and a full set of weaves. Also contact gear such as an A-frame, dog walk, and crossover. *Intermediate courses – can have between 15 to 20 obstacles in it. They could have a number of jumps, collapsed and flexi tunnels, long jump, brush jump, tyre and a full set of weaves. Also contact gear such as an A-frame, dog walk, cross over and the seesaw. *Senior courses – can have between 20 to 25 obstacles in it. Senior courses can be made up of every type of standard agility equipment. They may also have the weave poles split into two sets of six poles. *Elementary B – can have between 13 to 15 obstacles in it. The courses are made up of jumps, long jump, collapsible and flexi tunnels. (Elementary B is “reserved” for new handlers with new dogs). *Elementary A – can have between 13 to 15 obstacles in it. The courses are made up of jumps, long jumps, 6 weave poles, collapsible and flexi tunnels. Elementary A is for new dogs (they may have an experienced handler). |
To graduate from Starters to Intermediate level, the dog/handler team must have:
* 2 wins with clear rounds in Starters and/or Novice, or * 1 win with a clear round in Starters and/or Novice, plus 3 points gained in such classes, or, * 1 win and the award of the AD title. To graduate from Novice to Senior level, the dog/handler team must have: * 3 wins with clear rounds in Novice and/or Intermediate, or, * 2 wins with clear rounds in Novice and/or Intermediate, plus 3 points, or the award of the ADX title, or, * 1 win with a clear round in Novice and/or Intermediate, plus 6 points, or, 3 points and the award of the ADX title. NB. The likelihood of the point system being used is diminishing, as from July 1, 2010, the new rules about split classes came into being. This now means, that as soon as there are over 15 entries in any height class, the competition will be split. Therefore every height (Micro, Mini, Midi and Maxi), will only compete against their own height for separate placing and prizes making it a “fairer” competition. It has taken 20 years to achieve this new split height competition in New Zealand. It was introduced to encourage a larger number of smaller and larger dog breeds into the sport of agility, as well as making the competition fairer and for the sport to grow. *Jumpers – On January 1, 2009, a new Jumpers competition was introduced. Three levels were created. All dog/handler teams started in Jumpers C (the lowest level), except for at that time, the then senior dogs, automatically qualified as Jumpers B (No dogs were entered in Jumpers A). All Jumpers courses are made up of only jumps and collapsed and flexi tunnels. Jumpers C and B will normally have 20 obstacles in them, and Jumpers A can have up to 25 obstacles. There are several ways that the dog/handler teams can progress from Jumpers C to B and finally into the top level, Jumpers A. (See under Titles and Awards below). Titles and Awards: There are a number of titles and awards that each dog/handler team can start working towards achieving as soon as they start entering championship events. Some of the titles, like AD and ADX, also have another function. They can act in combination with wins as a way of moving up from one level to the next. AD and ADX these are special set courses (ten of each that the judges must choose from). Only a small number of these are issued every year by the National Agility Committee and the different dog clubs must apply for the right to run these courses. Agility Challenge Certificates. These special certificates are only awarded at Senior level and also in Jumpers A. When a certain number of these certificates have been won by a dog/handler team is it possible to claim a champion title. (See under titles). Agility Titles - All titles and certificates are issued by the NZKC. They must be applied for, with proof of entitlements (post the original clear run certificates). |
*AD (Agility Dog). To be able to claim this title, the dog/handler team must gain two AD clear run certificates.
*ADX (Agility Dog Excellent). To be able to claim this title, the dog/handler team must gain four AD clear run certificates. *ADX Bronze: two clear ADX runs. *ADX Silver: four clear ADX runs. *ADX Gold: six clear ADX runs are required. *Ag.Ch. (Agility Champion). To claim this title, the dog/handler team must win six Agility Challenge Certificates, have ten clear rounds at Senior level, and have qualified as ADX. *Ag.Gr.Ch. (Agility Grand Champion). This is the highest achievable title in agility. To claim this title, the dog/handler team must win twenty Agility Challenge Certificates, where ten must be first places, and also have qualified as ADX Gold. *JD (Jumpers Dog). To be able to claim this title, the dog/handler has two ways of achieving this. The first one, by winning Jumpers C twice, or by collecting 25 clear rounds in Jumpers C. Both of these options will allow the dog/handler team to move up into the next level of Jumpers B. *JDX (Jumpers Dog Excellent). This title, like JD, can be achieved in two different ways. First by winning Jumpers B three times, or by obtaining 25 clear runs in Jumpers B. Only by winning the Jumpers B three times will the dog/handler team be able to move up into the Jumpers A level. *J.Ch. (Jumpers Champion). To gain this title the dog/handler team must have six Jumpers A wins plus at least ten clear rounds certificates in Jumpers A. *J.Gr.Ch. (Jumpers Grand Champion) the highest title. To be awarded this title, the dog/handler team must achieve 20 wins in Jumpers A. *Milestone Awards These are made up of clear run certificates accumulated from both Ribbon Trials and Championship Events. *Jade – 100 clear rounds *Ruby – 250 clear rounds *Sapphire – 500 clear rounds *Emerald – 750 clear rounds *Diamond – 1000 clear rounds A full break down of the agility regulations can be found on the NZ Agility Website www.dogagility.org.nz |
When can I start agility training with my puppy?
As soon as you get your puppy, find a dog club in your area (one that also does agility). They will get you started with basic obedience, as you need to have good control over your dog. Agility is done off lead, therefore control is one of the basic skills you must master. And its not just the training - the socialising with other dogs is so very important for your dog! How long does it take to train a dog to do agility? I would say generally 2 years, but it is an ongoing training program - it gets more challenging and there are always improvements to be made, and new skills to learn. You can start competing in agility as soon as your dog is 18 months old. The main thing to remember is “ it is all for fun”! You can take it to whatever level suits you and your dog. Your editor - Jonna Gibson. |