Agility Trials
Competitions That Are For Every Breed
Some dog competitions, known primarily as kennel club shows, are limited to
perfectly-poised purebreds. Even the cutest, most obedient
mixed breed is out of luck. But don’t worry, there
are lots of other competitions out there, open to dogs
of all shapes and sizes (purebred or otherwise). One
of the most popular: agility trials. Agility trials
are essentially obstacle course competitions for dogs.
Courses are set-up based on the dog’s size and
other categories, such as skill level. The dog that
complete the course with the best time and the least
number of errors takes the prize. These contests are
popular in part because dogs have a blast. But agility
trials are also interactive — the dog’s
handler (usually its trainer, owner or another family
member) runs alongside and “coaches” the
dog, so it is a true bonding experience. To find agility
trials in your areas, visit the North American Dog Agility
Council’s web site,
www.nadac.com.
