Dog Agility
Dog agility is one of the fastest growing dog sports
of the last century. USDAA's tournament events present
the best of the best in the various forms of competition,
which are described below.
Description
USDAA's early history focused on international standards as practiced in Great Britain the nineteen seventies and eighties. Jump heights in the program requires that the dogs jump no less than their shoulder height, with jumps set at 12", 16", 22" and 26".
USDAA’s Grand Prix of Dog Agility®
World Championships, now in its 21st year is the oldest and
most prestigious tournament in the sport today. On a course that features all the familiar obstacles of the sport - weave poles, A-frame, dog walk, see-saw, tunnels and a variety of jumps and hurdles, the tournament consists
of more than 100 local qualifying events and nine regional
and foreign national championships leading to the World
Championship event each year.
The Championships shall consist of a quarterfinal and
semifinal in each height division (12", 16", 22" &
26") leading to the finals. Top competitors in
the semifinals will advance to the finals where they
will compete against top competitors from regional and
foreign national championships. Competitors must negotiate
the obstacle course fault-free, with time penalties
assessed if a performance goes beyond the judge's announced
standard course time. The competitor with the fewest
faults and the fastest time is the winner.
The $10,000 Dog Agility Steeplechase®
pits the top jumpers in a race against the clock for
prize money totaling $10,000. The course is designed
to encourage speed as the competitors face a course
of hurdles and tunnels, with an A-frame and weave poles
on course. The tournament series consists of more than
fifty qualifying events leading to the world championships.
The competition is divided into four height divisions
and is presented in a two-round format. Competitors
compete in a semifinal round to earn the right to compete
in the final round. Faults on course are added to the
performance time, with the fastest competitor awarded
top prize. The top 50% of finalists share in the prize
money, with $1,000 being awarded to each first place
winner in each height division.
The Dog Agility Masters®
International Three-Dog Championship presents
top competitors from around the world in teams as they
compete in a test of versatility and endurance. The
tournament consists of five classes of competition -
standard agility, jumping, gamblers choice, snooker
agility, and the three-dog relay. Points are accumulated
through the five classes of competition, with the team
with the most points being awarded the championship.
A unique feature of the tournament is that competitors
may team up with competitors whose dogs are of different
heights. A handicapping system is utilized that adjusts
times and points based upon the dog's size.
Beginning in 1999, USDAA introduced the Performance Program, with different standards for competition that shifts the emphasis from the rigors of agility to speed. Jumps are set one height classification lower at 8", 12", 16" and 22", offering a lower trajectory across jumps that invites speed. Tournament series patterned after the Championship Program are offered for those who compete in the Performance Program as described below.
The Performance Grand Prix Championships pit the top competitors in USDAA's Performance Program in a race against the clock on a standard agility course for annual top championship honors. The course includes handler challenges as they direct their dog through the course comprised of ramps, tunnels, weave poles, and a variety of jumps and hurdles.
The Performance Speed Jumping Championships, pit top competitors in USDAA's Performance Program in a race against the clock on a jumpers course designed to encourage and demonstrate speed across jumps set at 8", 12", 16" and 22". May the fastest dog win.
The Performance Versatility Pairs Championships, pit the top competitors in USDAA's Performance Program in a two-dog team competition patterned after the long-running Dog Agility Masters® International three-Dog Championships.
Eligibility
Pre-qualification or eligibility must be established in accordance with tournament rules for each tournament. Consult tournament rules for details.
Tournament rules will be available below; please check back periodically to download a copy of
the rules of competition for each tournament -
Entry forms are available on-line after August 31 in PDF format by visiting the Event Calendar, or
by writing to:
USDAA
PO Box 850955
Richardson, TX 75085-0955
or requesting via email:
info@usdaa.com or
calling: (1) 972- 487-2200
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