AGILITY

What is Agility?

It’s fast, furious and a great favourite with competitors and spectators alike. Your dog does not have to be a pedigree dog to take part, but it must be registered with the Kennel Club on agility - zak jumping either the Breed Register or the Activity Register. There are a minimum of 16 obstacles allowed under Kennel Club Regulations, such as straight forward hurdles, long jump, tunnels, weaving poles, "A" frame, dog walk and a see-saw.

Agility requires the dog to be under the handler's control at all times. Agility classes are run against the clock to ensure that handlers do not take their dogs round the course at a walking pace in the hope of ensuring a clear round.

The setting of a reasonable course time, together with the careful design of the course, allows the dog and handler to show their skill at control and speed.

Agility can become a real addiction. It’s fun, friendly and keeps you and your dog in tip-top shape. Most people's first insight to Agility comes from the coverage of Crufts each year and the agility competitions held in December in conjunction with The International Horse Show at London's Olympia. The setting of a reasonable course time, together with the careful design of the course, allows the dog and handler to show their skill at control and speed.

If you decide that Agility is a suitable activity for you and your dog, your next step is to receive some expert training.

However, there are over 300 licensed Agility Shows held annually, not to mention the numerous special sponsored events which take place nationwide.

There is no set answer as to which breeds of dog are considered suitable for Agility. Any dog of sufficient size and fitness can traverse all the regulation obstacles, and you will see from watching the various Agility competitions at Crufts that there is a wide variety of breeds competing, each with their differing builds and sizes.

Fees

£10.00 per year club membership (January - December)

Membership to be paid by end January 2012 for the full year – includes all members/dogs of same family

All agility classes are £2.00 per class per person

Training Times
Training is informal at our club and we have weekly agility training sessions for all levels, whether you are interested in learning agility purely for fun, or whether you are interested in taking it to competition level.

Winter 2011/2012

Saturday	12.45pm - 1.45pm - see note below 2.00pm - 3.00pm - see note below	New Handlers Improvers
Sunday Sunday	**10.30am - 12.00pm - see note below 12.00pm - 2.00pm	Aimed at Grades 1-4 Aimed at Grades 5-7

Important Note:

* Saturday Classes: Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to help get the equipment out and set-up.
** Sunday Classes: Please arrive at least 30 minutes early to help get the equipment out and set-up.

For information on training and the next New Handler course please contact us via our contact page

Meet our Trainers

Bell McLeish

Bell currently trains our new handlers and new dogs to a level where they can negotiate all obstacles in a safe manner. Bell has been training dogs and handlers to do Agility for over 15 years and competes purely for enjoyment and fun. She currently competes with Ebony (collie-oodle) and Lace (Border Collie) both at grade 3.

Richard Blanchard

Richard works alongside Bell training new handlers and new dogs to a level where they can negotiate all obstacles in a safe manner. Richard started his agility career with his beloved Labradors but has since been converted to a Border Collie lover. He now competes with Scooby (Collie Cross) at Grade 6, and Suzie and Pippa (WSD’s) and Skye (Border Collie) all at Grade 3.

Marilyn Murphy

Marilyn's daughter Helen began a very successful agility partnership with her Working Sheepdog Gemma in 1998. Marilyn was her chauffeur as they travelled around the country with their tiny dome tent. They were hooked from the start. In November 1999 Marilyn bought Sally and began competing in 2001. Sally taught Marilyn a great deal and managed to get to Grade 6.

In 2003 Flyte (Borderstorm Take Flyte) arrived. Flyte is Marilyn's "once in a lifetime dog". Flyte is incredibly fast and Marilyn really struggled controlling his speed. He would flatten any obstacle in his way, including breaking weave poles. When they started competing, the one thing Marilyn was confident of, was that Flyte would stop on his contacts. However, poles were scattered everywhere!

Marilyn now works at Grade 7 and has competed at Crufts in the team Competition, at the Olympia final in 2008 and also in a number of Championship finals. Marilyn is trying out for the Great Britain Agility teams this year. Marilyn says, "Well, the way I look at it, if you don’t try you will never succeed. My dog is good enough, I just hope I am".

Marilyn has a new addition to the family, Flyte’s nephew, Trek and is currently competing at Grade 4.

Marilyn’s classes are based around teaching Grade 1-4 handlers and dogs specific combinations and handling skills that are required for progression into competition agility.