Clean Run - December 2015 - 7

Everything you
always wanted to know
about agility

By Brenna Fender

Can my Excellent-level dog enter the new AKC Premiere classes? If so, can
I enter the same dog in both Masters Premium and Masters Standard on
the same day?
No and yes. A dog must be at the Masters level in the class they are
entering, so your Excellent-level dog may not enter. Eligible competitors can, however, enter a Masters-level dog in both Masters Premium and Masters Standard on the same day.

Do I have to wear shoes at agility trials?
Most organizations do not require competitors to wear shoes. Representatives from American Kennel Club (AKC), Australian Shepherd
Club of America (ASCA), Canine Performance Events (CPE), Dogs
on Course in North America (DOCNA), North America Dog Agility Council (NADAC), Teacup Dog Agility Association (TDAA), UK
Agility International (UKI), and United Kennel Club (UKC) all say
there are no requirements for handlers to wear shoes on course. The
United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) also does not require
handlers wear shoes except in the case of their international event, the
Cynosport World Games.
Several organizations do mention that host clubs may require shoes,
though, and that common sense should prevail. There may be situations where the site requires shoes or where there are safety concerns.

I have a big dog (25") but she doesn't jump well so I'd like her to jump as low
as possible. What organization and program allows her to jump the lowest?
Most organizations have more than one titling track, allowing a lower
jump height option. Here are each organization's jump height options
for the largest dogs, based on the dog's height at the withers:
AKC: Dogs over 22" - Regular: 24", Performance: 20"
ASCA: Dogs over 20" - Standard: 20" or 24", Junior Handler: as low
as 16", Veterans: 16", Agility Competition Enthusiast (ACE) Program
Standard: 16", ACE Program Senior Dog: 12"
CPE: Dogs over 24" - Regular: 24", Veterans/Enthusiast: 20",
Specialist: 16"
DOCNA: Dogs over 22" - Competition: 24", Veterans/Select/Junior
Handler: 20", Veterans/Grand Veterans: 16".
NADAC: Dogs 20" & over - Proficient Standard: 20", Skilled: 16".
Dogs 18" and over - Proficient Junior Handler and Veterans: 16",
Skilled Junior Handler and Veterans: 12".
TDAA: A 25" dog cannot compete in this venue. Dogs over 16" & up
to 20" - Regular: 16", Veterans: 12", Double Digit Veterans: 8".

Do you have a question about agility
rules or anything else agility related?
Mail your questions to Brenna Fender:
brennafender@gmail.com
Brenna collects the questions and forwards
them to us so we never see the names.

UKC: Dogs over 20" - Regular division: 20", Veterans: 14".
UKI: Dogs 22" & over - International Regular: 22" or 26", Select: 20"
USDAA: Dogs over 21"- Championship: 26", Performance: 20", Veterans: 16", Intro: 12".
Some organizations have early veterans exceptions or jump height exemptions for certain breeds. CPE, for example, allows dogs of listed
breeds (Basset Hound, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bulldog, Bullmastiff,
Bull Terrier, Clumber Spaniel, Dachshund, Dogue de Bordeaux, Glen
of Imaal Terrier, Great Dane, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Great Pyrenees, Irish Wolfhound, Kuvasz, Landseer, Leonberger, Mastiff, Newfoundland, Old English Bulldog, Petit Bassett Griffon Vendeen, St.
Bernard, and Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgi) to be considered
veterans at age 3, so they can benefit from the lowered veterans jump
heights earlier in their careers.
NADAC offers jump height exemptions for dogs of specific breeds,
allowing them to jump 4" lower than they would normally jump as
determined by their measurement. The breed exemption list includes
American Staffordshire Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Petite
Basset Griffon Vendeen, Australian Terrier, Clumber Spaniel, Pug,
Basset Hound, Dachshund, Scottish Terrier, Bulldog, French Bulldog,
Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, Glen of Imaal Terrier, Swedish
Valhund, Cairn Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, West Highland White
Terrier, and Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgi. In NADAC, mixed
breed and heavy-boned dogs may apply to receive a height exemption
as well. Contact these organizations for details about their exceptions
(k9cpe.com and nadac.com, respectively). D

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December 15 | Clean Run

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Clean Run - December 2015

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