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Obstacle Requirements
Dog agility courses utilizes obstacles that have prescribed standards in order to assure safety
and basic uniformity in the nature of challenges within the sport. These obstacles are presented
below, along with the minimum requirements for course design in USDAA's standard agility classes.
Other classes offer the same obstacles, but may vary slightly in the number or manner in which
the obstacles are presented on course. These are more fully described in detail in Chapter 3
and Appendix A of USDAA Rules & Regulations.
Click on obstacle for key obstacle specifications
 Three contact obstacles, including the A-frame, see-saw, and dog walk.
 Set of ten to twelve weave poles. Two tunnels, one collapsible tunnel and one pipe tunnel.
 One Table.
 One Tire Jump.
 Three winged hurdles, one of which must be a spread hurdle.
Other additional hurdles (primarily of a winged-type) may be added to meet minimum obstacle
standards for each class level as listed below:
| Starters, Novice & Veterans Classes |
Advanced & Masters Classes |
| 14 to 16 obstacles |
17 - 20 obstacles |
Key Obstacle Specifications
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Contact Obstacles
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Ramp Length
|
Ramp Width
|
Height
|
Contact Zone Length
|
| See-saw* |
12'
|
11"- 12"
|
24" - 27"
|
36"
|
| Dog walk** |
12'
|
11" - 12"
|
48" - 54"
|
36"
|
| A-frame** |
9'
|
Min 36"
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99 degree angle at Apex for large dogs, which is approximately 5' 10" (70")***
104 degree angle at apex for small dogs, which is approximately 5'6" (66")***
|
42"
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*See-saw base must be visible on approach.
**Slats required on dog walk & crossover ramps with spacing 12" to 15", and on A-frame with 12"
spacing; slats must be a minimum 4" (but no more than 6") above and below contact point edge.
Slats shall measure between 3/8" and 1/2" in thickness and between 3/4" and 1-1/2" in width and
span the full width of the plank or sidewall (on the A-frame).
***In "Performance Program" and for the 12" and 16" Championship height classes, the A-frame
height shall be set at 5'6" (66").
- Table surface dimension: 36" x 36"
- Table top edge (side view): 3" minimum
- " Adjustable in height to 12", 16" & 24" in the Championship Program and 12" and 16"
in the Performance Program
- Number: minimum 5; maximum 12, with poles minimum 3' height and diameter of
approximately 1"; minimum of 10 required in standard agility and performance titling classes.
- Spacing: 18" - 21", with base not to exceed 3.5" in width and 1" in height
- Aperture: 17" - 20"
- Sidewall Width: min. 4"
NOTE: Frame must have 8" minimum clearance between tire & frame and not extend
more than 9" beyond tire plane in either direction; the top of any cross support beneath the
tire shall not be more than 4" above ground level.
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Diameter
|
Diameter or Circumference
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Min. Length
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Max. Length
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| Pipe tunnel* (maximum 4" pitch) |
24" Diameter
|
10'
|
20'
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| Collapsed tunnel: |
| Opening |
18" - 24"
|
18"
|
30"
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Chute
(Chute fabric weight not to exceed 6.00 oz./sq. yard or 420 denier)
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65" min. circumference where attached to entrance 96" circumference on exit end
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12'
|
12'
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*SPECIAL NOTE: Pipe tunnels must have no more than 4" spacing between wires on the pipe tunnel
to provide sufficient cylindrical support. This spacing is called "pitch", so when ordering
from a manufacturer, request a 4" (or 3") pitch.
Note: Two poles are required on each jump in all class levels except Masters; wings must
be minimum 36" and ideally 42" - 48" high, and a minimum width of 16".
A majority of the hurdles utilized must be "winged" hurdles.
Minimum Jump Heights
| CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM |
| Dog Height |
Jump Height |
Long Jump Span |
| 12" or less |
12" |
20" |
| 16" or less |
16" |
36" |
| 21" or less |
22" |
48" |
| Over 21" |
26" |
60" |
| PERFORMANCE PROGRAM |
| Dog Height |
Jump Height |
Long Jump Span |
| 12" or less |
8" |
12" |
| 16" or less |
12" |
24" |
| 21" or less |
16" |
36" |
| Over 21" |
22" |
48" |
Spread Hurdles Span
| CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM ONLY |
| Dogs Jumping 22" & 26" |
Span
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Regular Spread:
Parallel*
|
12" to 15" (inclusive)
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| Ascending** |
15" to 20"
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| Extended spread (ascending only) |
20" to 24" (inclusive)
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| Dogs Jumping 12" & 16" (All Ascending**) |
| Spread |
10" - 12"
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| Extended spread |
12"
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*Should have a slanted ground line pole at back, or back and front
**Front hurdle must be at least 4" lower than jump height
Poles and Pole Supports
- For round poles, cups must have 1/8" maximum depth not to exceed pole width
- For flat rails, flat holder not to exceed 1-3/4" width
- PVC poles must be Schedule 40, 1" or 1-1/4" i.d. only
- Rails must be approximately 1-1/4" to 1-3/4" square
- Poles, planks and rails between 4' and 5' in length
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