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 agility, jumping and team competition.
Description
USDAA’s Grand Prix of Dog Agility®
World Championships, now in its 22nd 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 ten regional
and foreign national championships leading to the World
Championship event.
The Championships shall consist of a quarterfinal and
semifinal leading to a finals in each height division (12", 16", 22" &
26"). Competitors must negotiate
the obstacle course fault-free, with time penalties
assessed should a performance goes beyond the judge's announced
standard course time. The competitor with the fewest
faults is the winner; in the event of a tie, the fastest time will decide.
The $10,000 Dog Agility Steeplechase®
pits the top jumpers in four distinctive classes at 12", 16", 22" and 26", 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 of three dogs and three handlers 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 away from the finer elements of a dog's physical agility. 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 the Grand Prix of Dog Agility course with obstacle and time standard adjustments as set forth in the regulations. Jump heights are one cateogry lower, includes no spread hurdles and has additional time allotted on course.
The Performance Speed Jumping Championships, pit top competitors in USDAA's Performance Program in a race against the clock on the Dog Agility Steeplechase course, with jumps set at 8", 12", 16" and 22", and includes no spread hurdles. Scoring is all about time, but penalties for course faults are added as time penalties. 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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