What is agility? Agility for dogs in Russia: competition rules, shells, tracks

What is agility? It's not just sport, getting rewards and pride in your dog. Classes and trainings strengthen the connection between the host and the animal. The dog becomes more balanced, self-confident and obedient. A man and a dog enjoy mutual pleasure from communication, and, most importantly, complete mutual understanding. So, let's figure out what agility is.

Basics

In short, agility is a sport in which a dog and its owner participate. From English, the word agility is translated as "agility, agility, speed." Dogs are happy to do agility. Photos are good to show.

It seems to many that a trained dog performs all the tricks on its own, and it is she who owns all the merits. But this is only an appearance. The dog follows the owner and performs his commands, it is he who is responsible for everything that happens. In the agility of the host, the handler is called. His duty is to establish a quality and productive contact with the dog, otherwise there will be no victory.

The shells are placed along the road. It can be different barriers, tunnels (soft and hard), slalom, swings, booms, slides, etc.

The track is a group of shells installed in a certain order. In each individual competition the track may be different. But in any case, it will not be more than 20 obstacles, and the length of the route should not be more than two hundred meters. Despite the impressive length, a lot of space for competitions is not needed, even a saturated track can fit in a small area due to several circles, various loops, snakes, etc.

History

Initially, agility was not an independent sport. It served as entertainment for the guests of the English exhibition. One of the organizers is John Varley, who together with Peter Minwell wanted to surprise visitors with something unprecedented. They copied some shells from horse-drawn jumping and came up with several new devices. The result was a very interesting obstacle course for dogs. New entertainment was called agility. Thus, we can consider 1978 as the year of birth of a new sport, in which dogs and their owners participate with pleasure. All dog lovers soon learned what agility is.

Today's chairman of agility in the FCI sports committee, Jean Paul Petididier, was present at that landmark exhibition. And he liked the performances of the participants so much that he decided that such competitions should be held everywhere in the clubs of dog breeders. It was he who spread fashion for a new sport across Europe.

In Russia interest in agility came about in 1992-1993. And already in 1994 the first Russian Agility Dog Championship was held in Moscow. In this competition, only 12 couples with their dogs have participated so far. In 1995, the Cup of Russia was held, where the judge was Jean Paul Petididier himself. The Cup of Russia won the "Tim Spirit" team. In 1996, Russian teams were given the right to participate in the Agility World Championship.

Shells

Agility competitions in Russia are conducted in accordance with FCI rules on approved shells. They should be safe for dogs and meet certain size rules.

1. Barriers.
2. Swing.
3. Slalom.
4. The viaduct (wall).
5. Hard tunnel.
6. A soft tunnel.
7. Tire.
8. Slide.
9. Leap in length.
10. Boom.
11. Table.

rules

Agility is quite an entertaining sport, but it does not differ in complex rules. Handler can not drive his dog on a leash, even the collar is removed. All commands are given at a distance, touch and guide the dog with your hands. To encourage the dog to eat with sweets during the passage of the route is also prohibited.

The main task in agility is to achieve the most accurate, correct and fastest way to overcome the obstacle course. Speed - not the most important, if the dog overcomes obstacles quickly, but with errors, it will not get a high rating. There is even such a thing as the purity of passing the route - this is an indicator that is calculated taking into account all the penalty points.

Penalty points can be added for:

1. The dog's refusal to overcome any projectile.
2. Errors when working with a projectile.
3. Exceeding the time of the route. This time depends on the length and complexity of the route, and on the average speed, which is determined in this competition (from 2.5 to 4.5 meters per second).

Before the start of the competition handlers can briefly, within a few minutes, familiarize themselves with the route. They need to understand how difficult it is to calculate the possibilities and strength of their dog. But to practice on the road with a four-legged friend will not work - the dogs before the performance on the track are not allowed.

During the competition, the dog overcomes obstacles on the command of the owner, and the judge measures the time of the route and checks the purity and literacy of working with projectiles.

Agility Levels of Agility

Agility-1. In competitions of this type, dogs that do not have a certificate for agility are involved.

Agility-2 is open to dogs that have already received a certificate.

Agility-3 is a competition for the best athletes. Dogs can take part in it, which three times took prize places at competitions of the second level.

Breeds

Every dog will be happy to know what agility is. In the competition can take part any breed of dogs, and even mongrel dogs. Prize place can get absolutely any dog, because the main thing is a good connection between the owner and the pet, allowing to work together in a team.

Dogs with solid dimensions (dogs, wolfhounds, and leonbergers) may experience problems with some obstacles, for example, it may be difficult for them to squeeze into the tunnel. It will be more difficult for dogs, in which the shoulder and hip joints are located at a right angle. For this reason, the terriers and schnauzers will show themselves a bit worse in slalom and barriers, but dogs with a crouching gait, such as sheep dogs, will get an advantage on these shells.

Nevertheless, agility can do absolutely everything. After all, cups and wins are not the main thing. First of all, agility training is a great chance to improve the relationship with the pet, to strengthen the owner-dog relationship and just have fun with a four-legged friend. In addition, it's not a secret for anyone that a dog should constantly develop. Training agility can become both a good physical exertion, and food for the mind.

Grow categories

Of course, the tracks for very small and for large dogs are different. Therefore agility is divided into several categories.

1. Mini. In this category, dogs are participating, the growth of which does not exceed 35 cm.
2. Midi - for dogs growing from 35 to 43 cm.
3. Standard - for dogs above 43 cm at the withers.

Training dogs

Agility can be started when the dog is four months old. Of course, you can do with an older dog. There are chances to take a prize in the competition.

With a young dog, you can immediately begin to study agility shells and practice for a year, after this time it will be seen whether the dog is the future champion.

Training agility can begin and in another way. This method is suitable for adult dogs - first go through a general course of obedience and UGS (guided city dog), and then get acquainted with the agility shells. A trained dog will have enough months to master them.