Dogs in Competition, Agility Trials

Agility is open to all breeds of dogs, even mixed breeds. Dogs must be at least a year old to participate in agility trails. The trials allow a dog to demonstrate the ability to negotiate a complex obstacle course that includes walking over a bridge, weaving in and out of a series of poles, jumping through and over objects, traversing tunnels and pausing on command. There are different height catagories for the jumps, so each dog can be tested fairly.

There are three classes at an agility trial: Novice, Open and Agility Excellent, with five different height divisions in each class. The course is the same for every class, but the scoring gets more and more demanding as you progress through the classes.

Credit toward American Kennel Club agility titles is earned only by qualifying in AKC-licensed and member club agility trials. In order to acquire a title, a dog must earn a qualifying score in its class at three different trials under two different judges. The maximum attainable score in any class is one hundred points, and in order to earn a qualifying score a dog must receive 85 points or more and not be disqualified. The titles are Novice Agility (NA), Open Agility (OA), Agility Excellent (AX), and Master Agility Excellent (MX). To earn the MX title, a dog must first have an AX, and then must receive qualifying socres in the Agility Excellent class at 10 licensed trials.

Titles Available

Novice Agility (NA)

Open Agility (OA)

Agility Excellent (AX)

Master Agility Excellent (MX)