Agility
the dog must negotiate to 'pass' or 'qualify'. Not only must the dog make no mistakes in the course, or on individual pieces of equipment, but it must also complete the course within a time limit set by the judge on each occasion. The time is calculated within a range of 'metres-per-second' speeds allowed for each class of competition (Novice, Open and Masters) by the A.N.K.C. guidelines, as applied to that particular course. Variables such as the complexity of the pattern of obstacles, time spent on the 'contacts' obstacles, and the ground and weather conditions, are taken into consideration.
Dogs must be eighteen months of age before they are allowed to compete in Agility, and most training clubs require they be twelve months old before introducing them to jumps, which make up a large proportion of the obstacles
. NB:
S.A.O.D.C. Requires that a dog has passed Grade 5 before undertaking Agility
training, as well as being a minimum of twelve months of age,
because of the jumping involved in this sport.