The American Kennel Club (AKC) has strict guidelines for dog agility equipment to ensure a safe and fun experience for dogs and their owners. The tunnels must be at least 24 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
The AKC specifies that contact obstacles, like A-frames and dog walks, must be sturdy enough to support a dog's weight and have a minimum height of 26 inches. The jumps must be made of durable materials and have a minimum height of 12 inches for small dogs and 24 inches for large dogs.
The weave poles must be spaced 12 inches apart and have a minimum height of 24 inches. The teeter-totters must be made of durable materials and have a minimum length of 6 feet.
The AKC also requires that all equipment be securely anchored to the ground to prevent it from tipping over during use.
Dog Agility Equipment
Dog agility equipment is a crucial part of training your furry friend to navigate obstacle courses. You'll want to choose equipment that's portable, lightweight, and easy to set up.
A good starting point is a hurdle set that allows you to adjust the height as your dog gains mastery. The Hurdle Set for Dog Fitness and Agility, for example, comes with four jumping bars and eight high-visibility cones.
When selecting a hurdle set, consider the height range and adjustability. Some sets, like the Travel Jump Set, offer heights ranging from 4-to-24 inches.
Additional obstacles, such as the A-frame, can be added to your course. The A-frame, a standard obstacle in AKC agility courses, consists of two straight panels with a width of 35 to 49 inches and a length of 8 feet, 10 inches.
Here are some key specifications to consider when choosing your dog agility equipment:
- Portable and lightweight equipment is ideal for rearranging the course.
- A-frame height: 5 feet 6 inches, plus or minus 1 inch, with a smaller version at 5 feet.
- Hurdle set height adjustment: 8 different heights, with some sets offering a range of 4-to-24 inches.
- Panel width: 35 to 49 inches.
Specifications and Guidelines
The American Kennel Club (AKC) has established specific guidelines for dog agility equipment to ensure safety and fairness for all participating dogs.
Contact obstacles, such as A-frames and teeter-totters, must be designed with a smooth surface and a maximum height of 4 feet.
Tunnels must be made of durable materials and have a smooth, rounded entrance and exit.
The minimum tunnel length is 6 feet, and the maximum height is 2 feet.
Weave poles must be spaced 12 inches apart and have a maximum diameter of 4 inches.
Jump heights vary by size of dog, with maximum heights of 4 feet for small dogs, 6 feet for medium dogs, and 8 feet for large dogs.
The contact zone of a contact obstacle, such as an A-frame, must be at least 3 feet wide.
Recommended read: Dog Agility Jump Heights
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specs of the a frame in dog agility?
The A-frame in dog agility is a 36" wide, 9' tall structure propped at an angle, typically colored blue and yellow. It requires a dog to navigate a 42" wide contact zone at each end, demanding speed and power.
What is the minimum ring size for AKC agility?
The minimum AKC agility ring size is at least 5,000 square feet for Novice courses, increasing to 6,500 square feet for Open and 8,000 square feet for Masters. However, the ideal ring size is 100 x 120 feet for optimal performance.
Sources
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/dog-agility-equipment/
- https://www.dailypuppy.com/akc-agility-equipment-regulations-1199.html
- https://www.competitiveedgeagility.com/Agility.html
- https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/events-and-activities/agility/new-to-agility/agility-course-obstacles/
- https://dogonitagility.com/agility_faqs.html
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