Dog agility

Agility [ ədʒɪlɪti ] (English maneuverability, agility ) is a dog sport that originated in England. The core is the flawless tackling a obstacle course ( course ) in a given time. In the 1980s, the sport came to Germany. Agility is one of the world's established modern dog sports and is offered by many dog sports clubs. Agility is now well with other animals, such as cats ( see Cat Agility ) operated, has there but not the distribution as in dog sports.

  • 4.1 Conditions of Participation
  • 4.2 Size classes / output classes
  • 4.3 Agility, A- runs
  • 4.4 Jumping
  • 4.5 Games
  • 5.1 Preface to the elevation data
  • 5.2 table
  • 5.3 jumps 5.3.1 hurdles
  • 5.3.2 tires
  • 5.3.3 Long Jump
  • 5.5.1 demarcation
  • 5.5.2 Review of contact zones
  • 5.5.3 Runway / Passerelle
  • 5.5.4 rocker
  • 5.5.5 sloping wall
  • 5.6.1 Fixed tunnel
  • 5.6.2 fabric tunnel / tunnel bag

History

In the Crufts Dog Show in 1977, the Briton Peter Meanwell was asked if he could organize a stopgap. This was inspired by the equestrian sport and developed a jumping competition for dogs as competition. These had to be developed dog -friendly obstacles and built the first rules. In 1978 there was the first presentation with two teams. The enthusiasm of the audience was so great that it was decided to continue the event next year; now even elimination matches in the run were necessary in order to present the three best teams. It quickly became this new sport self-perpetuating and was spread worldwide.

Agility has spread from England and now in use in many countries. There are organized by various organizations world championships in agility: IFCS, IMCA and FCI (the latter only for Breed dogs with FCI papers ) or Agility World Cup and European Open ( an event of the FCI ), where hybrids are allowed to start.

Description

Basic principle

The dog passes, led by the dog handler, an obstacle course, which is composed of up to twenty different obstacles. A distinction is made between the " A-run " and the " jumping". When A-run, there are other than simple jump hurdles also contact zone devices that are missing when jumping. The team (dog and leaders ) must deal with as soon as possible and error-free devices such as tunnel, long jump and slalom in a predetermined order.

This sport is suitable for most dogs. Very large dogs, however, are rare, partly for health reasons, on the other hand, because they are more of a chance in competitions. In the Maxi or Large class can be seen very often agile dogs like Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds. In the smaller classes there is a greater variation in the races. The dogs must have a good basic obedience and must not have any damage to the musculoskeletal system.

The most important thing in agility are fun and sporting activity. Therefore it must be ensured that the dog is healthy and is not overwhelmed. Followers of this sport stress: "Agility is fun! "

The dog runs on the course freely (without a collar and leash ) and may not be touched by the handler during the run. He will be conducted solely via voice command ( voice ) of the handler and his body language. The obstacles on the course are numbered and to be completed in that order. In each test, the course is structured differently. The planning lies with the Judges, who later assessed the individual human-dog teams. Omitted or put in the wrong order barriers result in a disqualification of the team for each run. Stops the dog in front of an obstacle or he breaks out laterally, which called denial (details are available in the respective examination regulations ) is; the dog must overcome this obstacle, before he proceeds to the next. After three Deny the team will be disqualified. Behavioral defects of the dog or misconduct of the handler (for example, abuse of the dog, or failure of the power rectifier ) cause, as decided by the judge's power to the exclusion of the team from the event.

For the completion of the course, the team is a given standard time. " However, to see the standard time only as a default and the speed should not be seen as the main criterion. Agility is not a speed run, but a running skill. For matching results, the decision goes in favor of the dog who has the lower error on the obstacles. Only in the case of equal number of faults on the obstacles are taken into account in the ranking the better time. "

The completion of the course requires a high level of skill in man and dog. Especially in the high performance classes already perform minor threading errors of the handler or a short inattention of the dog easy to errors that can draw a disqualification. It is precisely this need for accurate co-operation of the team but makes up a large part of the appeal of this sport for the assets. The team is very fine one another. Everyone watched the others and noticed tiny hints of his sport partner. This interaction affects the entire human-dog relationship and influenced this positive.

Threading technologies

Unlike other dog sports dog is fed alternately at Agility on both sides of the body; by the path of the leading human can be shortened and the course of the dog be handled faster. In contrast to some similar competition dog sport of dog also does not run on the same level as the man, but precedes him or freezes for a moment behind him, without losing contact. The handler tries the animal to always have in mind, even if he has to change the jab, so the dog comes to the other side of the body of the handler. To this end, the team uses certain techniques of change:

  • When Belgian change (change of the dog ) is changed into a turning the jab to keep the eye contact with the dog. This change is time -saving in the course, because many dogs start to run faster by the rotation of the handler and the path of the dog ( Kurvenradius! ) is shortened.
  • The French exchange (also called Japanese or blind exchange, exchange of the dog ) is used to switch by means of a rotation of the body the jab, while a temporary loss of eye contact with the dog. This change saves time on the course, as you do not change the direction of travel, when you are far enough ahead of the dog.

Depending on the conditions on the course, it is sometimes necessary to change after the dog (back cross). Here the dog is premised on an obstacle and crossed his running line behind him. The change after the dog is usually only used if no other change is possible because many dogs thereby cope with the sequence slowly.

Contact zone obstacles

Significant value assume the contact zone obstacles. These obstacles have designated areas, the contact areas, which must necessarily touch the dog. It was invented to slow down the dog and thus to reduce the burden of its joints. The dog must not jump off or on - the wide set. The contact zones are distinguished by color, applied the paint on the sides, so that an error can be better recognized. The former often usual combination " yellow obstacle with red contact zones " is the worst choice because the dog this color difference can barely perceive (see color perception in dogs ). Therefore Newer obstacles usually use blue as the color for the object, the contact zones are often red.

Sizes and performance classes

Is started, depending on the regulations in 2 to 4 size classes in which the dogs are classified according to the withers:

In the different size classes, the height of the obstacles the size of the dog in this class will be adjusted.

Depending on the power level of the dog start this either in one of three performance classes, or in the elderly or Beginner class. The difficulty is increased by a slightly larger amount of obstacles, but above all by a demanding course design. In the high performance classes, it is quite common that just behind an obstacle is another, but that can not be overcome at this afterwards. Likewise, the course can lead to tight obstacles just over. Here is a clean Transfer technology and extreme concentration of both team partner is necessary.

Health problems

The health risks of Agility, Dr. HC Schamhardt, a veterinary oriented biomechanics of the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, out. A dog is not automatically protected during agility against overload. If there are jumps shows, for example, over-stretching of the front foot, so the hand (usually the dog runs only on the toes, see Anatomy ). When jumping the dog obstacles it comes to that, that the entire forefoot touches down, the wrist is hyperextended. In photos of the jump phase does it look as if the foot shattered. But it turned out that this certainly is part of the normal repertoire of movement. On landing, the load is many times higher. As a remedy is proposed here to reduce the hurdle distance what the dog slows down; in addition to increase the hurdles, making the jump angle steeper and leads to a physiologically favorable attitude of the dog. Special overload Potentials jumps in connection with rotations. In the long term this can overload the joints increase the risk of osteoarthritis associated with long-term pain. Other hazards are the crossbars on the contact zone obstacles that can lead to bruising paws. This criticism has been taken into account in the new rules: the rocker has no crossbars on A- wall and bridge must be flat and rounded nowadays the bars, the angle of the A-frame is now somewhat flatter. Schamhardt also pushing forward to increase the slip resistance of the contact zone devices. It is also noted that the main dangers lie for overloads not in competitions with their relatively short exposure periods, but in training, where the exercise intensity and duration is usually much higher than for tests. That is, dogs who run agility, are actually competitive athletes and their training should include physical therapy, which ensures optimized before training and competition, the warm-up and after the performance period for relaxation.

Tournaments by VDH Examination Regulations

Terms and Conditions

Prerequisite for participation in official tournaments is the passed obedience exam and proof of rabies vaccination. In addition, the dog must be identifiable by a chip or a tattoo. The handler must be a member of a club affiliated to the VDH. In addition, a liability insurance should be. Foreigners must be connected in a FCI Federation, the dog does not need a companion dog test.

Size classes / output classes

In order to reduce the burden of the dogs will start in three size classes:

To start performance justice, there are 3 power classes have proven to be designated A1 to A3. There is also a class for seniors.

The ascent from A1 to A2 (and later A3) it requires either 3 zero - error runs and finishing in the top three or five error-free runs within the class that have been evaluated by at least two different power converters. A voluntary descent to a qualification is possible after the qualifying conditions, however, are to meet again for the start of the higher class.

In order to reduce the burden of older dogs and allow them to still participate in tournaments, the senior class has been introduced. From the age of 6 years, dogs can run in the senior class, but do not; over a stile falls within the discretion of the handler. But after that no start in other test classes is possible. In the senior class, the barriers are low, and also eliminates the obstacles slalom and tires.

Agility, A- runs

All obstacles can be used. There is a standard time, beyond which with time errors ( per second point time error; tenths and hundredths of a second are converted to tenths and hundredths faults) will be punished. The Passing of a fixed maximum time (1.5 to at most 2.0 times the standard time) will lead to disqualification. Errors and denials will be deducted with a points formula. It will be built according to the new regulations from 2012 15 to 22 obstacles, with multi-use obstacles are also counted several times. A combination is no longer allowed, tires and long jump must be made ​​that the dog may start these devices in a straight line.

Jumping

With this match no contact zone barriers are used. Otherwise, all other devices are used. The sequence corresponds to the A- runs. The required speed is usually higher than in the A-run.

Games

Games are not subject to fixed rules, and can be decorated by the organizer as needed. Games not covered by the FCI rating.

The obstacles according to FCI rules in detail

Preface to the elevation data

According to the size classes of dogs obstacle heights are fixed. For training purposes, it is useful to be able to adjust the obstacles over a larger area, but also finer. The below dimensions are the values ​​for competitions.

Table

The table must be stable and have a slip resistant surface.

The table is only rarely encountered in tournaments. The rule for this obstacle is the following: after bounce on the table, the dog must wait 5 seconds before he can jump on the character of the handler again. A premature jumping is an error and the dog must complete the table again.

Height:

Table surface, square:

Jumps

Hurdles

The barriers consist of the side panels and the rod. The rod must rest loosely, it must fall off when touched. Besides the pure rod hurdle various other forms exist: Broom hurdle, viaduct and wall; apply for the same dimensions, and in any case, closing the hurdle from above with an ejection rod.

Hurdles are the most common obstacles in agility course. The rods of different overhead depending on the size class must be skipped by the dog. A release is a bug that will be considered with penalty points, the jump is not repeated.

In regulations 3 heights are provided:

  • L: 55-65 cm
  • M: 35-45 cm
  • S: 25-35 cm

The width between the posts should be between 120 and 150 cm.

Tire

The tire must be skipped, a jumping next to the tire, but is considered within the framework of a denial, the obstacle must be repeated. In contrast to the hurdles a touch of the tire jump is not considered a fault. By skipping or jumping at the wrong time will lead to disqualification.

The tire must be closed for protection against injury, at least in the lower part. He is hung vertically adjustable by chains or similar devices; fixed, rigid suspensions are not allowed. To ensure stability, the base struts must have approximately a length of 2 m ( 1.5 times the length of the dimension from the bottom to the upper edge of the tire ).

Diameter of the tire: 45 to 60 cm, the tire ring 8 to 18 cm thick Distance from floor - tire center:

  • L: 80 cm,
  • S and M: 55 cm.

Long-jump

The long jump consists of two to five elements, which are placed unattached at the same distance in ascending order. Posts are placed 1.2 m height at all four corners of this obstacle to the limit. The lowest element of 15 cm is on the front, the tallest rear. The long jump has to be managed within the limit rods. An overturning of an element is an error, the obstacle must not be repeated. Omitting or skipping in the wrong direction or at the wrong time will lead to disqualification.

Total length of the obstacle:

Slalom

The slalom course consists of 8, 10 or 12 rods, which are 3 to 5 cm thick. The length of the bars is 100 to 120 cm, the inside width between the bars is 60 cm.

The dog has to enter from the first bar the obstacle right. Report this shrinkage is a refusal, leaving the wrong place as well as the omission of a rod failure. The obstacle must be repeated either from the fault site or from the beginning, otherwise it will result in disqualification.

Contact zone obstacles

Demarcation

At the contact zone obstacles include the catwalk, the sloping wall and the rocker.

Review of contact zones

At the beginning and end of the obstacle the dog must touch at least one paw each contact zone, otherwise the obstacle is considered as fault. Omission of obstacle or overflowing in the wrong direction or at the wrong time will lead to disqualification.

Catwalk / Passerelle

The gangway consists of three elements: the two ramps and the central portion. A ramp includes the ascending contact zone, the other descending. The ramps are provided with 20 mm wide, 5 mm to 10 mm high, rounded rails, which are fixed at a distance of 25 cm in order to make the climb easier. The lower part of each of the ramps is highlighted in a different color to 90 cm in order to view the contact zone. The contact zone area must extend 10 cm above the corresponding bar. The entire runway must have an anti-slip coating.

Seesaw

In the resting position the rocker on the page must be on the ground, from which the dog comes. The balance will be set as follows: a 1 kg heavy weight is placed on the high end of the rocker. This page must now tilt within 3 to 4 seconds to the ground and swing back again upon relief. The Kippeigenschaften can be adjusted by balancing weights.

Sloping wall

The sloping wall (also called A-frame ) is composed of two inclined planes, which form the shape of an " A". The result is a rising and a finish, each include a contact zone in the lower part. The contact zones are 106 cm long. The battening and the non-slip pad correspond to the catwalk

Tunnel

Fixed tunnel

The tunnel should be fixable in use on the ground and must be run in the specified direction. Who chooses the wrong input will be disqualified. Omitting or passing through at the wrong time also leads to disqualification. The handler must be particularly careful here, because the tunnel apparently exerts a special attraction to many dogs.

Fabric tunnel / tunnel bag

This obstacle, which is also known as a blind tunnel is in two parts. It consists of a fixed part as an input and the flexible material part. The input is inverted U -shape of solid, torsion-resistant material, because the flexible part connects. The material should be soft and such that small dogs do not get tangled in it. When tunnel bag, make sure that the dog does not get caught in a cloth bag. The course assistants must here be particularly careful that the wind is not twisted and the bag is designed after each pass of the bag.

No longer in use: the moat as an obstacle

In the early days of the moat was still a long jump to the ranks of obstacles. The dog had to skip it without stepping into the water. In the new regulations it will not happen again mainly because of its difficult -to-handle construction.

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