AKC Agility National Courses

Founded in 1884, the mission of the American Kennel Club is to promote "the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function." Agility is a sport that requires dogs and their handlers to run an obstacle course while racing against the clock. Many local dog clubs can help dogs and handlers prepare for AKC events with courses designed to meet the club's national standards.

  1. AKC Agility Training Basics

    • Dogs compete against those of similar height.

      The best way to find AKC-standard courses is by joining your local Training Club. Some clubs offer classes that allow dogs and handlers at different levels to practice the types of courses and obstacles that are encountered at a trial event. They also can recommend ways to continue training at home. Any AKC-recognized purebred dog 15 months of age or older can compete in AKC agility events. There are five different jump heights for each event to ensure fair competition for all sizes of dogs. In addition, there are two classes within each height division, Regular and Preferred, with Preferred dogs jumping 4 inches lower than the Regular dogs of that height division. There are four types of AKC agility courses: Standard, Jumpers with Weaves, Fifteen and Send Time, and Time 2 Beat.

    Standard

    • A dog navigates the A-frame with safety zone in yellow.

      The Standard Class has contact objects with a safety zone painted on them; dogs must land at least one paw in the safety zone as they run the course to complete that obstacle. Dogs and handlers attempt to navigate the course within or exceeding the Standard Course Time. Obstacles include a variety of jumps, weave poles, A-frames, dogwalks, teeters, pause tables, tires and tunnels. Agility is a time and fault sport, which means points are deducted for mistakes and for every second a dog goes over the standard course time. Mistakes can include missing a contact safety zone, taking an obstacle out of sequence, displacing a bar on a jump, refusing an obstacle.

    Jumpers With Weaves

    • A dog navigates the weave poles.

      The Jumpers with Weaves course uses only jumps, tunnels and weave poles. There are no contact objects, so it's an extremely fast course. Like the Standard, it is a time-and-fault sport.

    Fifteen And Send Time (F.A.S.T.)

    • The Fifteen and Send Time course is, as its title implies, one where dogs and handlers navigate 15 point-valued obstacles or obstacle combinations. In addition to the 15 obstacles, the course also includes a Send Bonus, which is a distance element awarding a 20-point bonus if completed successfully.

    Time 2 Beat (T.2.B.)

    • A dog navigates the closed tunnel.

      The Time 2 Beat class is the newest AKC course with official competition beginning July 1, 2011. This category's obstacles are a hybrid of Jumpers with Weaves and the Standard courses; it is unique because the fastest dog from each height division sets the "time to beat" each competition.