What is Agility?

Agility is the fastest growing canine sport in the U.S. and very popular worldwide as it is fun for both the dog and handler and develops a strong bond between the two of them. Using a combination of voice commands, hand signals, and body language, the handler directs the off-leash dog to correctly navigate an obstacle course in the time allowed. The number of obstacles and the complexity of the course varies with the level at which the team is competing. For AKC, these levels are Novice, Open, and Excellent. Dogs of all sizes from Chihuahuas to Mastiffs can participate as long as they are physically fit. While only purebred dogs can compete in AKC trials, mixed breeds as well as purebreds can compete at NADAC and USDAA events.

The obstacle courses consist of high and broad jumps, open and closed tunnels, a tire, weave poles, an A-frame, a teeter-totter, a pause table, and a dog walk in AKC. Other organizations sometimes have additional obstacles. AKC now offers an additional class in which dogs can compete called Jumpers with Weaves. This has all the usual obstacles except the dog walk, A-frame, and teeter. A dog that successfully completes the course within the time and fault limit for that course earns one leg towards the three needed for a title.

After proper training, with a naturally athletic dog such as a Shiba, the hardest part of running the course can be for the handler to remember it once he or she has left the starting line. Of course, Shibas always have the potential to be a little creative in how they run the course so a sense of humor is a must for the handler.

For more information about this sport including upcoming trials, organizations, descriptions of obstacles, and course layout , please visit the dogpatch website at http://www.dogpatch.org/agility/index.cfm.

Shiba Inu AKC Agility Statistics:
Shiba Inu Statistics for 2004
Shiba Inu Statistics for 2003
Shiba Inu Statistics for 2002
Shiba Inu Statistics for 2001
Shiba Inu Statistics for 2000

Useful links:
USDAA Breed Statistics
Agility Ability