UKI Agility has come across the pond! This organization is a fun, lighthearted place to work with your dog and brings ‘european’ courses to America, with their tighter turns and big handling challenges without their being a huge equipment challenge- the A-frame tops off at 5′7”. Dogs have angled entries to go through, and handlers have cross-over challenges. Think of European courses as the Da Vinci’s of the Agility world- they’re real works of art, in a simplistic, understated way. They require thought and preparation but in the end… it’s oil on canvas. It’s you and your dog!
While this may not be your cup of tea, there’s more! You can bring toys’ on-course for ‘training runs’, which means you can take your trial-shy dog for fun runs with toys, and then do a real run later in the competition! Think of how much zoom you could avoid! There’s also ‘nursery class’ for debuting dogs, which I know is a blessing. You can also enter a trial online (that’s right, no postage!) and keep track of your scores online as well.
The organization is still in the infant stage here in the U.S., but check here for a trial near you and try it out- you may just find that you love it! (I know I’m going to try it once my dog is old enough!)
Q. In AKC agility, when you get into Excellent B and you start getting points for your MACH, who keeps track of the points?
A. The AKC has a computer system that keeps track of all qualifying scores and points earned in any of their dog sports. To see points earned as calculated by the AKC, go to www.akc.org and log in to the online store. Click on “AKC Reports” then “points and Awards”. Enter you dog’s information and click “View Points/Summary of the Title Progression for this do.” This will display a free report that shows your dog’s information in detail, including what events have occurred but are not yet included in the repot. Even handlers who keep their own records should check the AKC site periodically to make sure that an error has not occurred.
Actually, every handler should record his or her own accomplishments in some way. Occasionally, qualifying scores are lost or points are miscalculated. The best way to make sure that your championship points are recorded properly is to confirm that your score is recorded correctly at a trial. You can do this by checking posted results before you leave the trial and keeping your own accurate records that you cross-check with the AKC’s listings.
….goes up the big dogwalk! I hope you enjoy this video of Mixy the Chihuahua! I think he’s probably one third the size of my cat! (I have a fat cat). Never underestimate a small dog! What they lose in length of stride, they often make up for in precision. TDAA is a great organization for anyone with a smaller dog, since USDAA course times especially can be a bit hard to navigate with a smaller, ’slower’ dog (slow is subjective and relative). There, the courses are designed for small dogs, by small dog owners! Since teacups don’t need as much space between obstacles, the courses are about half-sized! What do you think of TDAA? Have we got any happy TDAA-ers here?
Back in May we discussed the AKC allowing mixed breeds to compete with the purebreds. There was a lot of great feedback here at AgilityFusion, and elsewhere on the internet as well, apparently! AKC has changed their stance on the Mixed Breed titling system and competing due to ‘compelling feedback’ from the community.
AKC decided to allow mixed breeds to compete in any agility trial WITHIN the same classes. This is different than their previous ’separate class’ distinction that was obviously not accepted as well and clubs thought too confusing. This means the AKC can now really compete with USDAA and CPE in their agility offerings (and rally and obedience as well!). This’ll begin April 1st (I know, really?) So your mixed breed dog can now compete head to head with the purebreds, and may the best dog win!
Clubs have the choice not to enroll in the Mixed Breed program (called the AKC Canine Partners Program), but it is anticipated that all will. Why limit your clubs’ venue by not allowing registered mix breeds? there’s money to be made in it, after all!
You may have seen the video of the AKC Nationals already (see this post). Awful. But you’ve heard the phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. Well, how about, “When it downpours at the AKC Nationals, have a Dog Bowl Race?” That’s what some competitors did. Watch this short video below…
Good news though! Michael Canalizo the Director of AKC Event Management wrote a nice apology to everyone who attended the rained out event, and he said, “While I can not predict what Mother Nature can or will do…I can assure you that for the next six years the AKC Agility Invitational Events which has been one of the cornerstones of the trilogy of the National Championship Events will be an indoor event. Hopefully you and your dogs will never be placed in another situation which resulted in great discomfort and unexpected stress.”
We’ve heard the Agility portion of the show was not filmed- but if you want to watch the conformation portion (showing next week!) check here for TV listings.
Q. In AKC agility, when you get into Excellent B and you start getting points for your MACH, who keeps track of the points? 
Back in May we discussed the AKC
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