Dogs - and their owners - around the globe are
becoming addicted to agility - and it's no wonder.
This fast-paced, competitive canine sport has dogs
jumping through hoops.
Agility is an obstacle course for dogs, who
have to vault hurdles, jump through hoops, run
through tunnels, dash over seesaws, weave through
poles and negotiate other obstacles, whilst being
timed. Faults include knocking down the pole of a
hurdle and missing the 'contact point' - a colored
part near the end of a seesaw or other obstacle.
 Whilst Border Collies dominate the sport, most
dogs can compete - Golden Retrievers, Belgian
Shepherds, German Shorthaired Pointers, Papillons,
Schnauzers, Miniature Poodles, Australian Kelpies,
Shetland Sheepdogs and Jack Russell Terriers are
among the breeds that have had success in
agility.
Breeds such as Boxers can also compete, but are
prone to overheating because of their short noses
- if you own one of these dogs and want to try
agility, make sure your dog is given plenty of
water often. Dogs with short legs (excluding Welsh
Corgis, which have proven to be quite successful
at this sport) or long backs aren't suitable for
agility.
Why compete in agility? There are several
reasons - most dog owners are just looking for a
fun hobby that their pets can share with them.
Agility is also a great method of strengthening
the bond between you and your dog. Other reasons
for competing in agility are - it's fun, it's good
exercise for dogs and people, it provides mental
stimulation for dogs and it build physical and
mental confidence in shy and retiring dogs. It
also improves the general control you have over
your dog and it's a good way to meet other people
with similar interests.
However, you can't just grab your dog and head
for the obstacle course. Your dog needs to know
lots of new commands, including 'over', 'through',
'left' and 'right'. These are best taught by
someone who has experience with agility, so
contact your national agility club for details of
a trainer in your area.
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