Westie Agility
17th AKC Agility Invitational
Congratulations to our 2022 West Highland White Terrier Qualifiers!
Agility was invented in England in 1979, and is now the fastest growing dog sport in North America, England and Europe. The sport is modeled on equestrian jumping competitions, but has evolved to become a unique sport designed to showcase canine agility, speed and dog-handler teamwork. Agility is entertaining to watch, and one of the most challenging activities for you and your dog. It is a sport at which small dogs can excel, and there are an increasing number of Westies in competition.
2009 Agility Group Photo
At each agility trial, the judge designs a unique course for each level of competition. The course consists of jumps and obstacles", and the dogs, who are further divided into classes by height, must complete the course in a set amount of time and in the proper sequence. Faults are assigned if the dog touches or knocks down jumps, takes the obstacles out of sequence or misses an obstacle, or goes over the course time. The dog within each height division that has the fastest time with the least number of faults wins. The complexity of the courses increase, and the time allowed decreases at the higher levels of competition.
There are four organizations that currently offer agility competition in North America: the AKC, the UKC, the North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC) and the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA). The competitions offered by these groups differ from each other primarily in the height/jump requirements and the number of faults allowed to qualify for a title. USDAA is generally considered to offer the most difficult courses, and NADAC the least difficult.
Obstacles include tunnels, tires that the dog must jump through, narrow walkways the dog must negotiate, a 5'6" to 6 foot high "A frame". The dog must climb up and over, a see-saw the dog must climb on and balance until it rocks down on the other side, and many different types of jumps.
Agility equipment is designed to be appealing to the eye, but also safe for the dogs. There are "contact zones" on the large obstacles to help ensure that the dogs will not injure themselves. In addition, the equipment is designed to assure good traction in any weather; the jumps have bars which are easily knocked down if the dog misjudges the height or falls.
In agility, the dog runs the course off-lead, and in most cases, the dog does not wear a collar. This is one reason why most organizations that teach agility require basic obedience skills before they will allow you to train your dog in agility.
Most dogs, if properly introduced to the equipment, absolutely love agility and participate enthusiastically. Food and praise are used to train the dog, and negative reinforcement or corrections are seldom, if ever, used either in training or in competition.
Your dog must be in excellent physical condition to compete in agility.
Susan Chapman and Bean (CH AGCH MACH12 Czarcrest's Bonnie Wee Blue Angel VCD2 BN RAE TDU MXC4 PAD MJG4 PJD MFS TQX MFP T2B T2BP2 ME EE CAX BCAT SCN SBN RATCHX TKN) made history by becoming the first Westie to earn the AKC's Agility Grand Champion title. The title was earned with a final qualifying run in FAST at the Muscatine Agility Club of Iowa on February 27, 2021 under Judge Tim Pinneri.
To earn the AGCH title, the following number of qualifying scores must be earned:
- Master Standard & Master Jumper with Weaves – 100 qualifying scores from each class
- Master Fast – 75 qualifying scores
- Time 2 Beat – 75 qualifying scores
- Premier Standard and Premier JWW – 50 qualifying scores from each class
Qualifying scores will be grandfathered and may be earned from either the Regular or Preferred classes or a combination of these classes.
"This truly is a lifetime achievement award," says Carrie DeYoung, AKC Director of Agility. "We are looking forward to recognizing each of the teams who have demonstrated this relationship and depth of skill over their agility career."
Congratulations to Susan and Bean on their remarkable agility career!
Congratulations to Vicki Flanery and her dog Jagger (Glenbrittle-Camcrest Jumpin' Jack Flash BN RAE MX MXB MXJ MJS XF CAX SCN SEN SBN RATCHX CGC) on their outstanding performance at the 2020 AKC Agility Invitational held December 12-13, 2020 in Orlando, Florida.
Jagger not only earned the Top Dog Medallion for Westies for achieving the highest cumulative score; he also qualified for the Finals in the 8" class and earned 4th Place! Well done, Vicki & Jagger!