Agility

 

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What is Agility

Well for those of you that don’t know what agility is it’s a great game you can play with your dog.

Agility is really a team sport between you and your dog. You, the handler, directs your dog through an obstacle course in an accurate race against the clock. Dogs must run off-leash with no food or toys as incentives. Consequently, the handler's only controls are voice and body language. This communication between you and your dog is formed through your day-to-day relationship and of course specific agility training. In competition, the handler must assess the course, decide on handling strategies and direct the dog through the course, with precision and speed equally important.

Scoring is based on faults, similar to equestrian show jumping. A dog that completes the obstacles correctly within the set time will earn a Clear Round. Dogs earn titles when they achieve a set number of clear rounds. 

Agility Obstacles can be a variety of Hurdles, Tunnels, Tyre jumps, Contact area equipment (Dogwalk, A-Frame and Seesaw) and Weave Poles. All designed with safety and spectator appeal in mind.

In Australia there are several codes of agility. I don’t compete in all of the codes but that doesn’t mean that you can’t or shouldn’t. All of the codes have different goals so it’s worth checking out which one would suit you best. I’ll try and give you some information about them.

ADAA    - Agility dog Association of Australia

This is my favorite code as there are heaps of different events from your standard agility and jumping classes to games like snooker and gamblers, strategic pairs and teams event to name a few. To find out more about ADAA it’s probably best to go and check out the website as it is always kept really up-to-date.

ADAA comps are heaps cheaper to enter than ANKC so you get more runs for your buck.

Oh and I happen to be a judge in ADAA so that’s probably another indication as to what I think of it!

www.adaa.com.au

ANKC – Australian National Kennel Council

The ANKC was originally formed to create a standard for pure breed dogs. However the ANKC has reconised that not everyone owns or wants to own a pure breed dog however do want to compete in Agility, Obidence, Tracking (to name a few) the ANKC have an associate register so you can compete in those events.

Most of my friends have pure breed dogs so that’s probably one of the main reasons why I compete in ANKC and while I do enjoy it I don’t find it as challenging as ADAA.

www.dogsnsw.org.au

The website won’t tell you about agility or upcoming trials but you need to go there in order to find out about registering your dog and it’s also a great place to find out about specific breeds and breeders.

It’s only been in the last few years that states like QLD and Tasmania have allowed cross-breed dogs to compete in ANKC events.

ADAC - Australian Dog Agility Council

ADAC - Provides Australian dogs and their handlers a fast, safe and enjoyable form of the sport of dog agility.

www.adacagility.com

AA - Agility Australia

Come and try a fast, safe and enjoyable form of the sport of dog agility

www.agilityaustralia.com

NADAC Australia

I don’t know much about NADAC but it is run in Victoria so if you are form Victoria one of the competitors down there will know some more about joining and trials.

Agility Clubs

I’m reluctant to recommend particular clubs.  New clubs emerge, poor clubs improve and good clubs deteriorate as trainers and members move around.  Also one club may be great for beginners and another for experienced handlers.  One club may only take large dogs seriously and another may have a strong small and medium dog section.  Try a few and see what suits you!

I’m only giving you the ones I know about in Sydney (or near by) for other states please refer to websites listed above or to this one www.dogs4sale.com.au/Clubs_Organisations_NSW.htm

ADAA Clubs

NSW - Parramatta
Parramatta International Canine Sports Incorporated (PICSI)

Further Info:
Chief Instructor - Agility -  Jo Harvey
(02) 9558 0894
Website: www.picsi.org.au

Training is held at Dan Mahoney Oval, Gladstone St, North Parramatta :-
Agility - Friday evenings 7.00pm set up for 7.30pm start.  New members accepted weekly, contact club for info.

Flyball - Tuesday evenings 7 - 9 pm
Beginners 7 pm, Advanced 8pm
New Members Welcome Every Tuesday Night!

NSW - South Coast
South Coast Dog Training Club Inc.

Further Info:
phone the club on 02-42612255 or Siegfried Clever Ph 0403092272

Training venue: Dapto show ground via the Mulda st entrance
Obedience training Saturday 8:30am
Agility Wednesday Beginners 6:30pm , Advanced 7:40pm
Flyball training Fridays 6:30pm

NSW - Lithgow
Paws Agility School

Further Info:
Jon and Alison Abbott
Ph (02) 6355 7174

Training at Lake Wallace
Wallerawang (near Lithgow)
Most Sundays from 10.30am . Please ring to check dates

Bring: Food rewards, Collar, Lead and a drink for you and your dog, dogs current vaccination certificate

ANKC Clubs

Agility Dog club of NSW

Mrs G Elven,
Kenthurst NSW 2156,  Australia
Ph: (02) 9654 1951

www.agility.org.au

Canine Fun Sports (Private Trainers)

Keith Edwards & Le Hammer
www.caninefunsports.com.au

Deer Bush Dog Training Club Inc

Sue Fedoryschyn
Fairfield Showground,  Smithfield Rd , Wakeley NSW, 2165 Australia
Ph: (02) 9604 6061 Email:suefed1@optusnet.com.au or www.geocities.com/deerbushdtc/

Hawkesbury Dog Agility Club Inc.

Sec: D Agnew
114 Bullridge Rd, East Kurrajong

Northern Suburbs Dog Training Club

T Bloxham
PO Box 89 Terrey Hills 2084,  Australia
Ph: (02) 9412 1614

Sutherland Shire Dog Training Club

Ms J Taylor
PO Box 231 Sutherland NSW 1499
Ph: (02) 9521 1633 Email: editorssdtc@tpg.com.au or www.users.tpg.com.au/rjbeng/

 

Last updated 6 February 2007