What's Agility?
A sport for dogs? A sport for humans? A fun way to spend time with your dog? A chance to socialize with like-minded people? A way to channel your dog’s energy constructively? A way to keep yourself physically and mentally active? Agility is all of that and more. For many of the people and dogs involved in the sport of agility, it is a passion and a lifestyle.
The most basic description of agility is that it is a human/canine event where dogs are directed around a pre-designed course of obstacles by their human handler. When I describe agility to people who don’t know what it is, I tell them that the dog must jump over jumps, jump through a tire, run through tunnels, run over an elevated dog walk, scale an A-frame, and walk up and over a teeter-totter. The challenge is for the dog to perform all these obstacles correctly in the sequence prescribed by the judge within the allotted time frame. Although that is an accurate description of the mechanics of agility, it doesn’t do justice to this sport that inspires so much passion among its participants.
Agility taps into a dog’s basic instincts to run, jump, and play. It gives our canine companions the opportunity to burn the pent up energy that comes with living in a human community, and allows them to express their “inner wolf.” Agility also allows our dogs to work with us as partners, individual, yet equal, both striving with mind, body, and heart towards the same goal. This also explains the appeal for dog-loving humans, and when it all comes together on a course — when the communication is clear, when the dance is perfectly performed and dog and handler work together as a single cohesive unit — it is a feeling unlike any other.
The Agility Dogs
While some breeds are undoubtedly better suited to agility, go to any trial and you will see a wide variety of breeds in all sizes and shapes. From the tiny, delicate Chihuahua to the large, muscular Bullmastiff, dogs compete against other dogs in their own height class, leveling the playing field. While the AKC requires that a dog be identifiable as a pure-breed to compete, other agility venues allow both pure-breed and mixed-breed dogs.
As with any sport, being fit and trim is an advantage to any agility dog; however, agility training is a great way to get into shape and lose some extra pounds for both dogs and their handlers. While all organizations have some health restrictions on dogs allowed to compete for the safety of the dog, and while none of them will allow a lame dog to run, some organizations will allow even an athletic three-legged dog to compete. Some handlers maintain that agility keeps their dog fit into their golden years, and it is not uncommon to see 10 year old dogs continuing to compete and achieve. (top)
The Agility People
Agility people have two things in common: a love of their dogs and a passion for the sport. Men and women, young and old, athletic and handicapped, the variety of handlers equals that of dogs. Since agility is a sport whereby one primarily competes against oneself, handlers of any age and capability can set and achieve personal goals. The community of agility people also provides a haven and support network for people whose love of dogs extends beyond the usual concept of a pet. (top)
The Agility Organizations
As agility has grown in popularity, more and more organizations have
evolved to address the wants and needs of the variety of agility
handlers and dogs. Each organization has its own mission, style, rules,
and requirements, and by experimenting, you can find the organizations
that best suit the needs of your agility team. Every organization offers
titles and awards, so you can set and achieve goals, be they modest or
lofty. The other pages of this site provide you with an overview of the
more popular organizations in the New England area. As you become
involved in the sport, you will learn more from your fellow enthusiasts.
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